Concern as low levels of antidepressants and antibiotics found in Irish rivers

Dublin's River Liffey registered both the highest concentrations and number of detections of all the sites included in the study. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos

A "concerning" new study has found Irish rivers contain low levels of antidepressants and antibiotics, with current wastewater treatment processes not sufficient to remove them.

Between September 2020 and March 2022, researchers from Dublin City University (DCU) collected water samples from dozens of sites recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) along the River Liffey, the River Suir, the River Nore, and the River Analee.