Preventing Nutrient Enrichment and other forms of Water Pollution. Dr Jim Bowman Programme Manager Aquatic Resources

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1 Preventing Nutrient Enrichment and other forms of Water Pollution Dr Jim Bowman Programme Manager Aquatic Resources

2 Four Challenges set out in SoE

3 Reversing Degradation of the Aquatic Environment Protecting Ireland s waters through the prevention of all forms of pollution should now only be considered in the context of the full implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD)

4 What is the Water Framework Directive? (Article 1) It is a Framework for the protection of the chemistry, biology and natural form of: a) Inland Surface Waters (Rivers, Lakes, AWBs and HMWBs) b) Transitional Waters (Estuaries & Coastal lagoons) c) Coastal waters d) Water Dependent Ecosystems (Turloughs, Fens & other Wetlands) e) The chemistry and volume of Groundwater

5 Objectives of the Directive WFD Article 4(1) Protect high status where it exists and Prevent status deterioration Restore the status of polluted water bodies with the aim of achieving good surface water status and good groundwater status by 2015*. *There are provisions for derogations and deferred objectives

6 Forms of Pollution in Ireland The principal and most widespread form of pollution is: Nutrient Enrichment of Surface and Groundwater Less common forms of pollution encountered are: i. Dangerous substances pollution ii. Bacteriological contamination iii. Acidification iv. Invasive Alien aquatic species! v. Other forms

7 Causes of Nutrient Enrichment in Ireland Inputs of the nutrients Phosphorus and Nitrogen to watercourses at concentrations above background level results in the commencement of the process of Eutrophication

8 Sources of the Nutrients Collectively and in order of importance: i) Discharges from waste water treatment plants ii) Agricultural activities iii) Discharges from Industry

9 Measuring the Problem of Nutrient Enrichment Traditionally surface water quality assessment in Ireland was based on the use of a single biological parameter which was selected on the basis of being the most sensitive to the predominant pressure e.g. Rivers: Invertebrates sensitive to organic pollution and resulting nutrient enrichment Lakes and Estuaries: Phytoplankton biomass (Chlorophyll) as an indicator of nutrient enrichment Supported by limited chemical sampling

10 Surface Water Quality Rivers Unpolluted (Class A) Slightly Polluted (Class B) Moderately Polluted (Class C) Lakes Oligotrophic/Mesotrophic Moderately Eutrophic Strongly Eutrophic Hypertrophic 74.1 Seriously Polluted (ClassD) Estuarine and Coastal 2.9 Eutrophic Potentially Eutrophic Intermediate Unpolluted 42.1

11 The Trend

12 The Strategy to reduce nutrient inputs Full implementation of: The Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC); 560M in DEHLG Capital Services Budget for 2009 up 19% Regulation of Municipal waste discharges by the EPA Regulation of Industrial discharges by EPA The Nitrates Directive (91/676/EEC); Nitrates Action Plan

13 Priority Substances & Priority Hazardous Substances Pollution by these substances not widespread in Ireland (EPA monitoring), but still presents the threat of acute and chronic toxicity. Strategy i. WFD standards for 33 of these substances set at Community level. ii. For those pollutants, measures shall be aimed at the progressive reduction and, for priority hazardous substances, as defined in Article 2(30), at the cessation or phasing-out of discharges, emissions and losses Article 16. iii. Establish an inventory of discharges, emissions and losses of these substances within each RBD.

14 Bacteriological Contamination Associated with human and animal waste. Strategy: Will be dealt with under the control of discharges of these wastes.

15 Acidification Mostly associated with confierous afforestation on acid-sensitive soils. Strategy Adherence to Forest Service protocol for planting on acid-sensitive soils and Forest Service Guidelines.

16 Alien Species The accidental or deliberate introduction of non-native animal and plant species. In many instances little can now be done where these species have been introduced e.g. Zebra mussel. Strategy i. Vigilance ii. Legislation

17 The Plan Making the River Basin Management Plans Purpose: to reduce and eliminate pollution and meet objectives of WFD Who will do it: Local Authorities and Public Authorities acting jointly for each RBD Draft plans to be ready by 2008 Final plan to be ready in 2009 Implement in period and in 6 year cycles thereafter.

18 The Strategic Process Mapping of River Basin Districts in GIS Format Characterisation of water bodies- Mapping of water bodies Listing of pressures Detailed risks that may cause failure to meet objectives by 2015 Economic analysis of water use Monitoring programme Implement monitoring programme Establish chemical standards and Biological classification systems Determine Water body Status Set Objectives & Measures for Water bodies Management Plans Completed Completed Completed Ongoing Nearing Completion Nearing Completion In progress In progress Implementing Plans To Commence in 2009 to 2015 ACHIEVE OBJECTIVES

19 Strictly Enforced The implementation of this directive is different from that for previous directives The strategy that will implement the directive has milestones and dates for achieving them. If we fail the EU Commission will immediately initiate legal action against the Member State. Actions have already commenced against some states.

20 The Cost of Achieving Target Implementation : ~ 100M Urban Waste-water Treatment Directive : ~ 600M pa NAP?

21 The Cost of failure We will have missed a great opportunity + Wasted an awful lot of time, energy and money + The EU Commission will initiate legal action against Ireland commensurate with the money not spent.

22 And Finally Thank you