Bathing water quality remains high overall, but heavy summer rainfall is putting pressure on our beaches.
Bathing water quality in 2023 was high overall, with 97% (143 of 148) of sites meeting or exceeding the minimum standard, the same number as in 2022.
114 bathing sites (77%) had excellent water quality, down from 117 in 2022.
The number of beaches with poor bathing water quality increased to five, compared with three in 2022. Discharges from wastewater overflows and misconnections are the main issue at these beaches.
The wet weather in July and August 2023 put pressure on our beaches resulting in more beach closures to protect public health.
The rainfall events in 2023 highlighted the need to build climate resilience into the effective management of bathing waters.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has today published the Bathing Water Quality in Ireland report for 2023 which shows that water quality at the majority of Ireland’s bathing waters was of a high standard. 77 per cent of bathing sites have ‘Excellent’ water quality while 97% meet the minimum standard.
Bathing water quality can be impacted by heavy rainfall. This results in waste water overflows and in runoff from agricultural lands and urban areas which can cause short-term deterioration in water quality. In 2023 urban waste water related incidents were the most frequently reported cause of beach closures. Run-off from agriculture, fouling from dogs left on the beach, wastewater from properties going to surface water drains rather than sewer (known as misconnections) and algal blooms also impacted on bathing waters.
Record rainfall levels in July and storms in August led to more beach closures in 2023 than in previous years. The rainfall events in 2023 highlighted the need to build climate resilience into the effective management of bathing waters.
Commenting on the report, Dr Eimear Cotter, Director of the EPA, Office of Evidence and Assessment, said: “While our bathing water quality is generally very good overall, there is a need to build climate resilience into the management of bathing waters to reduce the risk of pollution following heavy rainfall. This needs action by all sectors including Uisce Éireann, local authorities, and agriculture to reduce overflows from urban waste water systems, and runoff from urban areas and agricultural land. While beach closures play an important role in protecting bathers’ health, local authorities need to improve their understanding of the pressures which can impact beaches in the context of changing rainfall patterns.”
The number of beaches classified as poor increased from three to five in 2023. These are Balbriggan Front Strand Beach, Lady’s Bay (Buncrana), Trá na mBan (An Spidéal), which were also poor in 2022, and Loughshinny and Sandymount beaches in Dublin. The relevant local authorities and Uisce Éireann have plans in place to improve water quality at these beaches. These must be fully implemented to make these beaches safe for swimming.
No new bathing water sites were identified in 2023, although monitoring continues at almost 80 beaches not formally identified. The EPA encourages swimmers to engage with local authorities to officially identify and manage additional bathing sites to protect bathers’ health.
Further information on bathing water quality and updates on monitoring results during the bathing water season (1st June to 15th September) is available at www.beaches.ie.
Swimmers should always check www.beaches.ie and the signage at the beach for the latest water quality information for their local bathing site.
The report Bathing Water Quality in Ireland 2023 is now available on the EPA website HERE.
This collision is almost a repeat of what had occurred at this very same spot on March 20th last, [see that of which I speak, HERE], which resulted in the total removal of that signage and its information, which as of yet has never been replaced.
This second collision is further proof, (as if proof was in ever in doubt), of the continued ongoing waste of funding by Tipperary engineers and other officials.
Did we really need to have a large motorway sign jutting out across a footpath, informing drivers of a now deserted/destroyed town centre; when the Thurles town centre, has moved to Thurles Shopping centre, across from the sign; thus rendering same totally obsolete.
Meanwhile, on June 7th 2024, you will be asked to vote once again for those who destroyed this once thriving business centre known as Liberty Square.
This damaged sign now needs to be made safe, as soon as possible, as the remaining clips holding the bent “Durlas Town Centre”, section is liable to fall on some unsuspecting pedestrian.
No directional sign for Dublin currently available, in Liberty Squarehaving also been damaged/struck by a high sided vehicle.
Talking of ‘bent directional signs’ – ‘high sided motor vehicles’ – and the deliberate ‘wasting of taxpayers money’, by Tipperary engineers and other council officials; what has happened to the sign for Dublin, latter also recently removed by the council and not replaced?
Ammonia emissions down 1% in 2022, however further reductions needed to protect health and the environment.
Ireland’s ammonia emissions decreased by 1% in 2022. Despite this, Ireland remains non-compliant in 2022 with our EU Emissions Reduction commitment for ammonia.
The decrease in ammonia emissions reflects lower pig and poultry numbers, an increase in low emission slurry spreading and use of inhibited urea fertiliser on farms.
Compliance with the EU Emissions Reduction commitment for ammonia is only possible with full implementation of all Government policies and measures.
In contrast, Ireland is compliant in 2022 with the EU Emissions Reduction commitment for the following four air pollutants: non-methane volatile organic compounds, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and fine particulate matter. Reductions in 2022 were driven by less fossil fuel use in power generation and heating in homes and businesses.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), yesterday, published its 2022 assessment of five key air pollutants which impact air quality, health and the environment. The pollutants are:
ammonia.
non-methane volatile organic compounds.
sulphur dioxide.
nitrogen oxides.
fine particulate matter.
Agriculture accounts for over 99% of ammonia emissions in Ireland. A decrease of I% in ammonia emissions was driven by:
lower pig and poultry populations (down 5.9% and 2% respectively)
increased use of low emission slurry spreading (59% of all cattle slurry) and
a 52% increase in inhibited urea fertiliser.
Commenting on the findings Dr Eimear Cotter, Director of the EPA’s Office of Evidence and Assessment said: “High ammonia emissions impacts local air quality and human health and causes significant environmental damage to valuable ecosystems . Ireland’s ammonia emissions have exceeded the EU Emission Reduction commitments in ten of the past 11 years.”
She added. “Encouragingly, good farm practices are beginning to have a positive impact on emissions. For example, the use of low emissions slurry spreading for cattle slurry in 2022 avoided the release of 6,000 tonnes of ammonia to the atmosphere. However, we have much further to go. Faster and sustained implementation of all ammonia reduction measures set out in Government plans and policies are needed if we are to achieve compliance and protect our air quality.”
Ireland is in compliance with EU Emission Reduction commitments for the other air pollutants with decreases recorded for these pollutants in 2022. Sulphur dioxide decreased by 27%; fine particulate matter by 12%; nitrogen oxide by 4% and non-methane volatile organic compounds by 1%.
Commenting on these findings Mr Tomás Murray, Senior Manager said: “This assessment shows positive results in terms of a reduction in emissions of non-methane volatile organic compounds, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and fine particulate matter in 2022. These reductions are driven by less coal and fuel oil used in power generation and also less fossil fuels used in homes and businesses. Our data are clear: reducing fossil fuel use benefits both our climate and air quality and increasing the pace of this reduction will be better for our health and environment.”
Failure to fix faulty septic tanks is a risk to human health and the environment, and can’t continue, says Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Local authorities completed 1,189 septic tank inspections in 2023, targeted near rivers and household drinking water wells, which are most at risk of contamination by faulty septic tanks.
45% of septic tanks failed inspection. It is critically important that householders fix septic tanks that fail inspection as such failures have the potential to be a risk to human health and the environment.
Enforcement by local authorities is inconsistent and needs to improve, with Waterford, Roscommon and Kilkenny having the lowest rates of septic tank failures resolved.
Grants for fixing septic tanks have increased from €5,000 to €12,000.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released the report on Domestic Waste Water Treatment System Inspections 2023, which details the findings of septic tank inspections completed by local authorities in 2023. Of the 1,189 septic tanks inspected, 45% (532) failed because they were not built or maintained properly.
Water Service Authority.
Inspections Required 2023.
Inspections Completed 2023.
Systems Failing between 2013 & 2023.
Percent Fixed 2023.
Co. Tipperary
40
40
169
only72%
Comparisons:‘Percent Fixed’ for Co. Louth was 98%, Co. Wicklow97%, Fingal97%, South Dublin94%, Co. Longford88%, Co. Cavan89%, Co. Limerick84% and Co. Cork90%, leaving Co. Tipperary(shown on the above table) only moderately rated, when it comes to percentage of failures fixed.
Domestic waste water treatment systems, mostly septic tanks, are used by householders to treat sewage. There are nearly half a million systems in Ireland. The EPA’s National Inspection Plan 2022-2026 has identified the number of inspections that need to be completed, particularly near rivers and in areas where septic tanks are co-located with household drinking water wells. Local authorities are required to complete a minimum of 1,200 inspections annually as part of their implementation of the plan.
Commenting on the report, Dr Tom Ryan, Director of the EPA’s Office of Environmental Enforcement said, “Faulty septic tanks are a risk to human health and the environment and must be fixed. The EPA, through the National Inspection Plan, has identified rivers and areas where household drinking water wells are most at risk of contamination by faulty septic tanks. Local authority inspections are targeted in these areas. It is critical that householders protect their family’s health and the environment by fixing the problems identified, drawing on the enhanced grants now available.”
Where septic tanks fail inspection, local authorities issue advisory notices to householders setting out what is required to fix the problem. The EPA report found that there were 576 cases where issues notified to householders over two years previously had still not been addressed.
The grant schemes for remediation of septic tanks were changed at the start of 2024 to increase the amount from €5,000 to €12,000 and remove the requirement to have registered the septic tank in 2013. This presents a significant opportunity for householders to fix their septic tanks and resolve open advisory notices.
Mr Noel Byrne, EPA Programme Manager said, “It is unacceptable that the number septic tanks left un-fixed for more than two years continues to rise. Greater enforcement is needed by local authorities to ensure failed systems are fixed. Where faulty septic tanks are not being fixed, particularly given the availability of the enhanced grant scheme, local authorities need to use their enforcement powers to protect the environment and public health.”
The National Inspection Plan for Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems 2022 – 2026 was published by the EPA in 2021. The plan requires a minimum of 1,200 inspections from 2023 onwards. There was a shortfall in inspections by five local authorities in 2023 and these need to be completed in 2024. The EPA issued legal directions to make up for shortfalls in inspections by Waterford County Council in 2022 and to Galway County Council in 2023.
Another question for ‘Canvassing Councillors’ and ‘Would Be MEP’s’ calling to your door.
Took a walk by the River Suir in Thurles today in the beautiful warm sunshine. Having surveyed the river area, I was reminded of the song “Down by the river”, written by Mike Hazlewood and British singer-songwriter and composer Albert Louis Hammond. The lyrics, shown hereunder, tell the story of a man and his girl friend taking a camping trip down by a river. The weather being warm; they both decide to go swimming. That night they both felt unwell, and having failed to get sleep, went for an early morning walk. During their walk, they see a silver fish lying on its side dead on the river bank and they wonder how it died. After visiting a doctor, they are informed that only foolish people go swimming in polluted river water.
The song highlights the negative environmental impact on our water, which is being accepted by our local elected Thurles politicians and councillors, to whom we pay large salaries and who are presently calling door to door, in the hope of being re-elected for yet another 5 years of waste and inactivity.
Ask those canvassing for your vote this time around, the following question “Where did the pump for the fountain, in the river Suir end up”. You will be surprised and possibly angered by the reply.
Down By The River.
Lyrics: British-Gibraltarian singer, songwriter and record producer Mike Hazlewood and British singer-songwriter and composer Albert Louis Hammond. Vocals: Albert Hammond.
Down By The River.
City life was gettin’ us down, So we spent the weekend out of town, Pitched the tent on a patch of ground, Down by the river. Lit a fire and drank some wine, You put your jeans on the top of mine, Said, come in the water’s fine, Down by the river. Down by the river. Down by the river. Said, come in the water’s fine, Down by the river. Didn’t feel too good all night, So we took a walk in the morning light, Came across the strangest sight, Down by the river. Silver fish lay on its side, It was washed up by the early tide, I wonder how it died, Down by the river. Down by the river. Down by the river. Silver fish lay on its side, Down by the river. Doctor put us both to bed, He dosed us up and he shook his head, “Only foolish people go”, he said, “Down by the river”. Why do willows weep, said he, Because they’re dying gradually, From the waste, from the factories, Down by the river. Down by the river. Down by the river. Why do willows weep, said he, Down by the river. In time, the river banks will die, The reeds will wilt and the ducks won’t fly, There’ll be a tear in the otter’s eye, Down by the river. The banks will soon be black and dead, And where the otter raised his head, Will be a clean white stone instead, Down by the river. Down by the river. Down by the river. The banks will soon be black and dead, Down by the river. Down by the river. Down by the river. The banks will soon be black and dead, Down by the river.
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