'Urgent action' needed as report finds barely half of Irish waters in 'satisfactory condition'

The River Blackwater, one of the Cork waterways identified as having nitrogen levels that are 'too high', according to the EPA. File picture: Denis Minihane

Five Cork rivers are among 13 displaying nitrogen levels that are “too high”, with “significant implications for the marine environments they flow into”, according to a new report.

Ireland’s surface and groundwater is in need of “urgent and targeted action” to curb nitrogen pollution, which has resulted primarily from agricultural activity, the State’s environmental watchdog has said.