Review of Literature Related to River Water Quality in Ireland

2.0 Literature Review

2.1 River Water Quality in Ireland

National surveys of Irish rivers have been carried out since 1971. In 1971, 2,900km of river channel was surveyed. The surveys consisted of chemical and biological assessments. This was before the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the competent authority at the time was An Foras Forbartha.

The EPA was established in 1992 and they then became the competent authority for water quality monitoring in Ireland. In 2006, the EU Water Framework Directive Monitoring Programme was implemented. From 2004-2006, 13,240km of river channel was surveyed, with biological sampling carried out at 2,985 sampling sites on 1,151 rivers and chemical sampling at 2,500 sites. (EPA, 2008) The Monitoring Programme was put in place to meet the requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC), the European Communities (Water Quality) Regulations, 2003, Groundwater Regulations (S.I. No 9 of 2010), and Environmental Objectives European Communities (Surface Water) 2009.

From 2007-2009, of the 13,240km surveyed the river quality showed 70% were unpolluted and 30% were damaged to a greater to lesser extent. The National Water Monitoring Reports are compiled and published every three years. The most recent report 2011 showed that 20.1% of rivers had high status, 48.8% good status, 20.7% moderate status, 10% poor status and 0.4% river channel was bad status. (EPA, 2011)

2.2 Ashlane River Source

Ashlane River is sourced from Lough Gill. It flows downstream via the Garavogue River. It diverts into its own stream known as Ashlane River. The River flows through Hazelwood Demesne and then through the Institute of Technology. And then out to Carton Bay which flows to Sligo Harbour.

*waiting on info from Sligo Coco to complete this section

2.3 Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC

2.3.1 Overview

The Water Framework Directive was introduced in 2000. It established the legal framework to protect, preserve and improve the quality of surface, transitional and coastal waters and groundwater where necessary. It also includes modified and artificial water bodies. The Water Framework Directive sets out clear deadlines. The primary objective set out in the Water Framework Directive is to achieve at least good water status by December 2015.

The Directive was transposed into Irish legislation by the Water Policy Regulations (S.I. No 722 of 2003), Surface Water Regulations (S.I. No 272 of 2009) and Groundwater Regulations (S.I. No 9 of 2010). These regulations govern the shape of the Directive by characterisation, monitoring and status assessment programmes.

The Directive also aims to preserve, protect and enhance waters and manage water bodies based on river basins or catchments. The definition of good water status for surface waters is based on its ecological status and chemical status. The Directive set out five ecological status classes: ‘high’, ‘good’, ‘moderate’, ‘poor’ and ‘bad’. (EPA, 2005)

2.3.2 River Basin Districts

A river basin is defined as an area of land from which surface run-off flows through streams, rivers and lakes into the sea at a river mouth or estuary. In 2003, the identification of the River Basin Districts and competent authorities were completed. For each RBD a River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) was developed and implemented. The main aim of the RBD is to create an integrated monitoring and management system for all waters within each RBD, to produce RBMP. (EPA, 2005)

Figure 1: The eight River Basin Districts of Ireland. (Water Matters, 2007)

2.3.3 Characterisation (Article 5) Summary Reports

Under the WFD a summary characterisation report (article 5) was developed in 2004 for all RBD in their jurisdiction. This required:

‘an analysis of RBD characteristics’

‘A review of the impact of human activity on the status of surface waters and on groundwater’

‘An economic analysis of water use’

The main objective of the characterisation report was to provide a summary of the initial characterisation at each RBD level. To do this physical, chemical and biological features of surface water and groundwater were assessed alongside the pressures due to human activity. The report identified the water bodies at risk or not at risk of achieving the ‘good water status’ by 2015. (EPA, 2005)

The characterisation report has given a picture of the present state of water bodies within each RBD. It gives a better understanding of the future state of all water bodies and provided a starting point for the design of the ‘Programme of Measures’. The Programme of Measure is a combination of policies and management actions for the prevention of deterioration of water quality status using a cost effective approach. . (EPA, 2005)

It sets out the measures that may need to be taken and developed into each RBMP of the RBD. The Programme of Measures, are measures needed to meet the objectives set out in the WFD in those water bodies not achieving or at risk of not achieving good status. (EPA, 2005)

2.2.4 River Basin Management Plans

In 2009, the RBMPs were finalised and implemented into each RBD. The RBMPs set out specific environmental objectives to be achieved by December 2015. They identify the programme of measured and the actions that will be taken in achieved these targets. They also cover objectives that are not set out in legislation but that are supplementary measures in achieves the good water status. The competent authority for the implementation of the RBMPs is the local authorities. (EPA, 2005)

2.2.5 Monitoring Requirements

The monitoring requirements are set out in the WFD. The monitoring of groundwater and surface-water commenced in 2007. They were assigned to several agencies; EPA, Local Authorities, Marine Institute, Fisheries Boards, Waterways Ireland, OPW and NPWS.

The WFD lay out 3 types of monitoring that is carried out on surface waters in order to achieve and protect water bodies. They are surveillance monitoring, operational monitoring and investigative monitoring. (EPA, 2008)

Surveillance Monitoring (SM) is to construct an effective plan for all future monitoring programmes, to assess long term changes in natural conditions in order to determine the non-natural and the natural changes in an ecosystem and assess long term changes as a result of widespread anthropogenic activity. It is also the requirement to provide supplementing and validating the impact assessment procedure detailed in Annex 11 of the Directive

Operational Monitoring (OM) is monitoring of the areas that have been at risk of failing to meet the environmental objectives and determine the status and to assess changes in the water body status that have resulted from programmes of measures.

Investigative Monitoring (IM) is required in areas where the exceedance of environmental objectives is unknown; it may be due to accidental pollution. And where surveillance monitoring indicates that the objectives for a body of water are unlikely to be achieved and operational monitoring has not been established. (Ferreira et al., 2007)

2.2.6 Surface Water Classification

The status is determined by assessment of ecological status, ecological potential and chemical status. Surface water are classified as High (A), good (A), moderate (B), poor (C) and bad (D) status. Water bodies of high and good status are Class A waters as the water body is achieving the WFD requirements. These water bodies have very little or no pollution. Moderate, poor and bad status are underachieving and not passing the WFD requirements. Pollution is present in these water bodies. But aim to achieve the good water status by 2015.

2.5 Water Quality Monitoring

2.3.1 Physical-Chemical Water Quality Monitoring

Physical-chemical monitoring four times a year and is carried out to gather specific water quality characteristics. The WFD requires monitoring of rivers for thermal conditions, oxygenation conditions, acidification status and nutrient conditions. The parameters tested on river water include: pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, phosphorus, alkalinity and Suspended Solids. These tests help to identify the sources of pollution for conducting assessments on ecological impacts. (EPA, 2007) For Ireland the main pollutants of concern are nutrients and oxygenation conditions as they cause issues such as eutrophication and organic pollution. (EPA, 2011)

There are three elements:

a) ‘General components (physico-chemical) quality elements are as specified in WFD Annex VIII (10 – 12),’ b) ‘Specific relevant pollutants are those identified by Member States as being discharged in significant quantities; this is also specified in WFD Annex VIII (1 - 9),’ c) ‘Priority substances are specified in WFD Annex X and for present purposes the listing of priority substances also includes the dangerous substances as per the requirements of WFD Annex IX’ (EPA, 2007)

General components are the setting of the Environmental Quality Standard Values for the high/good and good moderate status. Specific relevant pollutants refers to the directive for the setting of a single EQS for each pollutant, failure to achieve the EQS will result in not meeting the good water status. Priority substances as required by the WFD are setting a single standard that divides the chemical status of ‘good’ and failing to achieve good’. Failure in achieving any of the above standards mentioned will result in not achieving the good chemical status by 2015. (EPA, 2007)

2.3.2 Biological Water Quality Monitoring

Biological monitoring is carried out one every 3 years on all rivers under the WFD. The biological quality elements measured are Phytoplankton, macrophytes, invertebrates and fish. For rivers of bad status, monitoring of macro invertebrates is required to be carried out once a year minimum.

Benthic invertebrates (E.g. Mayflies, stone flies, shrimps and bivalves etc.,) are good ecological indicators of pollution as they are very sensitive to changes in an ecosystem. E.g. Organic pollution. The community diversity in an ecosystem will decline in the presence of organic pollution. The more sensitive species are replaced by more tolerant invertebrates in the presence of high levels of pollution. (EPA, 2007)

For the assessment of Irish Rivers, macro invertebrates have been divided into five indicator groups:

‘Group A, the sensitive forms,

Group B, the less sensitive forms,

Group C, the tolerant forms,

Group D, the very tolerant forms and

Group E, the most tolerant forms.’

A Biotic Index is used, it is a quality index based on the composition and abundance of invertebrates in a specific water body. A Q value is applied and used to determine the ecological status of the river. (EPA, 2007)

Table 1: Biotic Indices (Q Values) relation to the WFD status categories (EPA, 2007)

2.6 Water Pollutants

2.4.1 Phosphorus

Phosphorus is an essential nutrient in surface waters for plants and animals. Phosphorus is a nutrient of short supply in most freshwaters. High levels of phosphorus in surface waters can cause accelerated growth of plants and algae blooms. The accelerated growth can lead to rapid oxygen depletion or eutrophication of the water. This will leave a water body of low dissolved oxygen so then it cannot support aquatic life, certain fish and invertebrates.

In all water categories across Ireland phosphorus levels have started to show a decline. This could be due to the reducing of inorganic fertiliser applications, storage improvements of organic fertilisers and the strict prohibition of spreading periods covered in the Good Agricultural Practice Regulations and increased average rainfall 2008 – 2009. (Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (DECLG) and the Department of Agriculture and Food and the Marine (DAFM), 2013)

In 2012, 85.4% phosphate concentrations <0.05mg/L P and 2% phosphate concentrations greater than 0.1 mg/L P. Overall the phosphate concentrations are declining but the results are quite varied from year to year. (Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (DECLG) and the Department of Agriculture and Food and the Marine (DAFM), 2013)

2.4.2 Ammonia Nitrogen

Nitrogen exists in waters in four main forms: organic nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen, nitrite nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen. In unpolluted surface waters ammonia nitrogen is typically present in the range of 0.01 – 0.5 mg/L N. There will also be low levels of organic nitrogen, no nitrite and higher levels of nitrate. In unpolluted waters nitrate is the dominant form of nitrogen. (Donohue, A., Geraghty. O., 2012)

Elevated levels of ammonia in surface waters are undesirable as it is an indication of organic pollution and increases oxygen demand. High levels of ammonia in surface waters are very toxic to fish life. (Donohue, A., Geraghty. O., 2012)

2.4.3 Nitrate Nitrogen

The Nitrates Directive (91/676/EEC) was introduced in 1991 with the main objective of decreasing water pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources. The presence of nitrate (NO3-) in surface water is normal at low levels. Sources of nitrate are: rainfall, decomposition of soil organic matter and fertilisers/manures. Data from the period 2000-2003 detected that no surface water in Ireland had nitrate levels >50mg/L. (Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (DECLG) and the Department of Agriculture and Food and the Marine (DAFM), 2013)

In recent years there has been a decrease in the average nitrate concentrations across all water categories under the WFD. In 2012 71.5% had nitrate concentrations <10mg/L NO3-, 1.3% had concentrations >25mg/L NO3-. Overall nitrate concentrations have been declining since 2007. (Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (DECLG) and the Department of Agriculture and Food and the Marine (DAFM), 2013)

References

Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (DECLG) and the Department of Agriculture and Food and the Marine (DAFM), (2013). 2nd Review of Ireland’s Nitrates Action Programme. Ireland: Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (DECLG) and the Department of Agriculture and Food and the Marine (DAFM).

Donohue, A., Geraghty. O., Environmetal Analysis 2 Laboratory Manual. Environmental Protection 2. (2012)

EPA, (2005). The Characterisation and Analysis of Ireland's River Basin Districts. Ireland: EPA.

EPA, (2007). Proposed Quality Standards for Surface Water Classification. Water Framework Directive. Ireland: EPA.

EPA, (2008). The Water Framework Directive - A new management approach. Ireland's Environment. Ireland: EPA.

Ferreira, J., Vale, C., Soares, C., Salas, F., Stacey, P., Bricker, S., Silva, M. and Marques, J. (2007). Monitoring of coastal and transitional waters under the E.U. Water Framework Directive. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 135(1-3), pp.195-216.

McGarrigle, M., Lucey, J. and Cineide, M. (2011). WATER QUALITY IN IRELAND 2007-2009. Wexford, Ireland: EPA.

Water Matters. (2007). 1st ed. Shannon: CarbonNeutral.