Pollution from agriculture one of top challenges to water quality

Pollution from agriculture and wastewater discharge remain the greatest challenges to the water quality of Ireland’s rivers, lakes, estuaries, beaches and groundwaters, according to a new report.

The Environmental Protection Agency’s Water Indicators’ Report — the first of its kind in a decade — evaluates the water quality across 16 indicators that measure the levels of nutrient pollution in waters, fish kills and other benchmarks.

While noting a positive decline in nutrient pollution and a reduction in serious pollution events that result in fish kills, the report warns that nutrient pollution is still an issue in some areas .