Ireland's water quality continues to be of a high standard, according to the Environmental Protection Agency summary indicator report entitled Water Quality in Ireland 2005, published today. The report looks, in a concise way, at ten core indicators of water quality based on monitoring results for surface and ground waters for the period 2003 – 2005. The indicators included are – river quality, nitrates in rivers, lake quality, fish kills, estuarine & coastal water quality, quality of shellfish waters, pollution at sea incidents, bathing water quality, faecal coliforms in groundwater, and nitrates in groundwater. In all cases, reference is made to trends in national statistics, rather than a county by county analysis. Donegal is included in the NorthWest RBD, along with Monaghan & Cavan.
While these data are encouraging, there remains an unacceptable level of polluted waterbodies in the country. 30 per cent of rivers, 10 per cent of lakes and 22 per cent of estuaries and coastal waters are in a condition that will require remedial measures if we are to protect our valuable water resources and comply with the requirements of the Water Framework Directive.
A footnote in the above report cites a number of rivers and streams in Donegal with seriously polluted stretches in 2003-2005, including Aighe, Bredagh, Greenhill stream, Maggy’s Burn, Murlin, Roechrow, Roosky and Tullaghobegley. The majority of these rivers have been the subject of a previous press release as they were included in the 3rd National Implementation Report on the Phosphorous Regulations in March of this year. It may be noted that the Greenhill stream has been investigated and the cause has been dealt with.
A number of other stations seriously polluted from point sources, such as sheep dips and industrial discharges, have since been eliminated.
A summary table is given below;
River Cause Current status
Aighe Industrial discharge Discharge Ceased
Bredagh Untreated sewage from Moville Awaiting new treatment plant
Greenhill stream Local farm discharge Improved, ongoing monitoring
Maggies Burn Milford sewage discharge Capital upgrade required
Murlin Sheep Dip Sheep Dip closed
Roechrow Forestry operations Operations concluded
Roosky Local farm discharge Improved, ongoing monitoring
Tullaghobegley Fish farm discharge Imp.treatment plant installed
Rivers such as the Bredagh will only show improved water quality when a sewage treatment plant for Moville has been developed. The Water Services Investment Programme, currently under way, will take some years to deliver the infrastructure required to effect a tangible overall improvement in water quality. Donegal Co. Council continues to press for funding for these schemes from the relevant funding authorities.