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SG(97) A/ 9752 Bruxelles, Je 16 juin 1997

DOCUMENT INTERNE

BORDEREAU D’ENVOI! DU COURRIER

DESTINATAIRE(S) OBSERVATIONS

Pour attribution (*):

         

M. ENTHOVEN

 
   
 

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CABINET DE Mme BJERREGAARD

  

Lettre de : R.P. DE L'IRLANDE
en date du :  11/6/1997 enregistree auSGle: 13/6/1997
Objet : INFRACTION : IRLANDE

 

A. 90/5220 : Programmes pour reduction de substances dangereuses
A. 90/0961 : Rejets de substances polluantes dans 1l'eau
- Communication des autorites irlandaises

Pour le Secretari Sneral,
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(*) , en cas de chanaement. contacter :

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REPRESENTATION PERMANENTE
DE L’IRLANDE
AUPRES DE
L’UNION EUROPEENNE

RUE FROISSART 89-93
1040 BRUXELLES

TEL. 230 85 80

 

FAX 230 32 03

 
 

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11 June 1997  : JRNUG T

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Secretary General nn
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European Commisslon

Managing Ireland's Rivers and Lakes
A Catchment-Based Strategy Against Eutrophication

Dear Secretary General,

I have been asked by my authorities to refer to previous
correspondence regarding implementation of the Dangerous
Substances Directive (76/464/EEC) and, in particular, the
situation concerning phosphorus and the provisions of Article 7
on the establishment of pollution reduction programmes
incorporating water quality objectives. These matters are the
subject of infringement procedures Nos. 90/5220 and 90/0961 and
were addressed in the press announcement from the Commission on
19 December, 1996 indicating the Commission's intention to issue
a Reasoned Opinion.

My authorities have been conscious of the threat posed by
phosphorus to the maintenance of the high quality conditions
which are a characteristic of most Irish rivers and lakes and
have accordingly pursued a range of measures aimed at tackling
phosphorus inputs and losses to waters. The nature and scope of
these measures have been kept under review and I am pleased to
advise that my authorities have recently adopted a comprehensive
strategy in relation to phosphorus. Five copies of the Strategy
are enclosed together with the press statement issued by the
Minister for the Environment on 22 May, 1997.

The objective of the Strategy is to redress the deterioration in
quality of rivers and lakes caused by excessive inputs of
phosphorus leading to eutrophication as evidenced by the EPA's
report on Water Quality in Ireland, 1991-1994.

The Minister in his press statement launching the Strategy stated
"Water quality management must be driven by clearly formulated
targets to assess progress and, where appropriate, to provide the
basis for policy review. The strategy I am announcing today will Il
address these deficiencies and set ambitious targets for the + °

2
delivery of water management policy.".

The Strategy provides a clearer focus on, and a more systematic
approach to, the problem of eutrophication. It emphasises the
importance of good water quality to the sustainable development
of river and lake catchments in terms of agriculture, tourism,
industry and other economic activity. A key aspect of the
Strategy is the establishment of water quality standards for
phosphorus. These are elaborated upon in section 5 and Appendix
2 of the Strategy and will be given statutory effect as soon as
possible.

Local authorities, as the primary competent authorities for water
quality management and protection, will be obliged to take all
necessary steps to ensure that phosphorus concentrations in
freshwaters do not exceed the stated levels. In addition, in the
case of relevant activities coming within the integrated
pollution control licensing system, conditions imposed by the
Environmental Protection Agency will have to ensure that the
quality standards are fully respected. The phosphorus standards
will be an invaluable tool in developing a step-by-step approach
to solving eutrophication problems. They will provide the basis
for pollution control strategies adapted to the particular needs
of individual catchments reflecting the sources of pollution
which affect them.

The Minister has informed local authorities that he wishes to see
decisive action taken to reverse the deterioration in water

quality identified in the recent EPA report. The Strategy
incorporates an extensive range of measures to ensure the
effectiveness of such action. Local authorities have been

strongly urged to adopt the catchment as the appropriate unit for
the integrated planning and implementation of their pollution
reduction programmes in respect of phosphorus
pollution/eutrophication. The authorities have been requested
to consult all relevant interests and to afford them the
opportunity to make an input into the development and
implementation of initiatives to achieve the targets set in the
Strategy.

Other key elements of the Strategy are:

- the setting of water quality targets involving:

© no further disimprovement in the quality
classifications of rivers and lakes, using 1995-1997
monitoring results as the benchmark;

18.

RR,

3

® phased improvements in the condition of rivers and
lakes currently affected by pollution;

o pursuance of the overall objective of eliminating
pollution from all rivers and lakes,

provision of phosphorus reduction facilities in respect of
sewage discharges in excess of 10,000 p.e. within the
catchments of sensitive areas (as required under the Urban
Waste Water Treatment Directive) and also in respect of
discharges below the 10,000 p.e. threshold. where these
contribute to the eutrophication of the sensitive areas
concerned or to the eutrophication of other rivers and
lakes,

promoting nutrient management planning as a key management
tool for farmers,

targeted reduction of 10% per annum in artificial P
fertiliser usage over the next five years,

promoting greater uptake by farmers under the Rural
Environment Protection Schene,

more intensive promotion of the Code of Good Agricultural
Practice,

the re-surveying of farms representing a medium or high
risk of causing water pollution,

seeking further reductions in the phosphate content of
detergents,

review of ef£fluent discharge licences issued under the
Water Pollution Acts, 1977 and 1990 and the Environmental
Prötection Agency, 1992 taking account of the need to
ensure observance of the water quality standards for
phosphorus; conditions attached to future licences will
also have to have regard to the need for compliance,

the review of controls in relation to domestic effluent
treatment systems,

expansion of the lake monitoring database,
review of the implementation of the Freshwater Fish

Directive (78/659/EEC) with the aim of increasing the
number and distribution of designations,

119.

4

= progressing a range of research projects and using their
findings to better inform eutrophication control strategies
as well as the monitoring protocols applied in phosphorus
sensitive lakes, and

- promoting more extensive use by local authorities of the
statutory powers available to them to prevent and control
water pollution.

My authorities present the Strategy as their pollution reduction
programme for phosphorus, as required by Article 7 of Directive
76/464/EEC, and wish to request that it be taken into account in
the Commission's further deliberations on the infringement
procedures currently pending on this matter.

Yours sincerely,
Pr

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Environment Attache

el. Ca :gal Service,DGXI.

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Intro

INTRODUCTION BY THE MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Diffuse pollution, for example, from vehicle transport and post-consumer waste,
is recognised in all EU countries as both pervasive and difficult to combat. The
eutrophication of Irish freshwaters is related to phosphorus inputs from diffuse
sources, especially agriculture. Point sources such as sewage and industrial
discharges also contribute to eutrophication which now affects many of our
inland waters and represents the greatest single threat to the quality of Irish
rivers and lakes. Clear evidence of this is provided in
the recent EPA report on Water Quality in Ireland,
1991-1994 which records a significant increase - from
21% to 28% - in the incidence of slight to moderate
pollution affecting rivers.

The Government is committed to tackling all
sources of pollution which threaten our important
inland water resources. An extensive legislative
framework is already in place. This has been
sharpened 'by new provisions in the Waste
Management Act, 1996 on farm nutrient
management planning and by the application of
explicit standards to local authority sewage
discharges.

Significant Exchequer funding is being provided to
improve infrastructure and management systems
so as to deal with the main sources of water pollution. A major
programme of capital investment is well under way, entailing estimated
expenditure of £1.3 billion by 2005 on new and improved sewage
treatment. Substantial funding has also been provided from the Rural
Environment Protection Scheme (REPS) and the Control of Farm
Pollution Scheme to address pollution from farming.

This Strategy to protect rivers and lakes against eutrophication is
intended to provide a clearer focus on, and a more systematic
approach to, the problem of eutrophication. It emphasises the
importance of good water quality to the süstainable development of
river and lake catchments in terms of agriculture, tourism, industry and
other economic activity. The Strategy provides guidance for pollution
control policy and implementation at national, regional and local levels
and is important for all parts of the country. In particular, and by way of
demonstration to other areas, | intend that the principles of the Strategy
should be operationalised immediately in two lake catchments on the river
Shannon, Loughs Derg and Ree. Implementation can then be extended
quickly to other priority catchmentes.

My Department is committed to delivering on those elements of the Strategy
which come within its area of responsibility. | am confident of similar support
from local and regional authorities and of cooperation from all sectors, in
particular industry and agriculture, whose activities have contributed to pollution.

 

 

BRENDAN Howun T.D.

Minister for the Environment

\42°

Contents

CONTENTS

PART I

SURFACE WATERS: AN ASSET IN NEED OF PROTECTION

(1) Importance of Surface Waters

(2) Eutrophication and its Causes

(3) Current State of Surface Waters in Ireland

PART II

PROTECTION STRATEGY FOR SURFACE WATERS

(4) Overall Approach

(5) Setting National Environmental Quality Objectives
for Phosphorus
(6) Implementation of the Urban Waste Water
Treatment Directive
(7) Nutrient Management Planning for Farms
(8) Review of Teagasc Phosphorus Fertiliser Recommendations
(9) Rural Environment Protection Scheme
(10) Control of Farm Pollution Scheme
(11) Code of Good Agricultural Practice
(12) Farm Surveys
(13) Restrictions on Phosphate Content of Domestic Detergents
(14) Phosphorus Content of Industrial Effluents
(15) Controls on Domestic Effluent Treatment Systems
(16) Expansion of Lake Quality Database
(17) Designations under Freshwater Fish Directive
(18) Research
(19) Use of Statutory Powers

PART Ill
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STRATEGY

(20) General Organisational Considerations

(21) Immediate Catchment Based Initiatives
(22) Extension to Other Catchments

Appendix I Water Resource Regions in Ireland
Appendix 2 Environmental Quality Objectives for Phosphorus
Appendix 3 River/Lake Classifications and Phosphorus Standards

Page

I0
H
12
13
13

15
15
16
17
17
18
19

2|
21
23

24
25
29

12.

PART I

 

SURFACE WATERS: AN ÄAssET IN NEED OF PROTECTION

I. IMPORTANCE OF SURFACE WATERS

I.! The generally high environmental quality of Irish lakes together with the
virtual absence of serious pollution in our rivers are important national assets.
We depend on our water resources for drinking water, as a raw material for
agriculture and industry and as an important element for amenity and
“recreation. The quality of water is also important for fisheries, tourism,
wildlife conservation and habitat protection. While it is difficult to place a
precise valuation on environmental benefits, there is no doubt that clean
surface waters confer very significant advantages on Irish manufacturing
industry, agriculture and tourism.

 

1.2 In ecological terms some Irish lakes are internationally recognised
as unique, for example Loughs Carra, Mask, Corrib and Conn. Others,
such as Sheelin and Ennell, enjoy international standing as trout
fisheries. The beauty of the lakes of Killarney has helped establish and
maintain the area as a premier tourist location.

1.3 But the quality of Irish surface waters can also be undermined or
threatened by the economic and consumer activities which it supports.
Changes in agricultural practices and their intensity have increased the
potential for pollution. Waste water treatment systems are still not
adequate in all cases to cope with domestic and/or industrial loadings.
Growing numbers of water-cruisers mean that threats to water quality
from this source must also be addressed.

2. EUTROPHICATION AND ITS CAUSES

2.1 The EPA Report Water Quality in Ireland 1991-94 shows that the bulk
of irish surface waters are of good quality. However, the report also draws
attention to a growing tendency towards the enrichment of waters beyond

natural levels (i.e. eutrophication) by plant nutrients, particularly
phosphorus. This condition results in excessive growths of algal and other
plants in the receiving waters and may result in adverse effects on

(a) human health, through contamination of drinking water with toxic
substances released by certain algae,

(b) water abstractions, because there may be clogging of filters or extra treatment

requirements,

(c) fisheries, because of loss of sensitive fish species such as salmon and trout, their
replacement by coarse fish and the elimination of certain species, e.g. char,

 

24.

SURFACE WATERS: AN AssET ın NEED OF PROTECTION

 

(d) recreational uses (e.g. bathing, boating), because of loss of transparency, smells
from decaying algal blooms and clogging with weeds, and

(e) ecological diversity, by reduction in species variety and dominance by
certain more tolerant types.

2.2 Studies have shown that phosphorus and nitrogen levels in water exert
major influences on the dynamics of algal growth; that excessive inputs of
phosphorus are primarily responsible for causing eutrophication in Irish
freshwaters and that agriculture is a major source of these inputs. Point

and non-point sources contribute to the total load of phosphorus

reaching waters. The main point sources are urban waste water
discharges, industrial sources (particularly the food processing sector)
and farmyards. The most significant non-point or diffuse sources are
the excessive land spreading of slurries, manures, silage effluent,
chemical fertilisers and industrial wastes, leaching from soils, septic
tanks and soiled water from open farmyards/animal holding areas.

2.3 In addition, inadequate farm waste collection and storage facilities
as well as poor management of disposal operations can contribute to
pollution. The production of larger quantities of slurry on individual
farms as a result öfthe increased winter housing of livestock over the
last [0-15 years has brought logistical and other problems in relation
to the storage and disposal of slurry on land. Chemical fertiliser
application rates have also increased significantly over the last few
decades. The combination of all these factors has resulted in soil
phosphorus levels being high enough in many areas, e.g. River Lee
Catchment, to permit optimum crop growth for a number of years
without further phosphorus applications.

 

2.4 Lakes may also under certain conditions be adversely affected by
internal dynamics, such as the release of phosphorus from sediments.
These processes may slow the recovery of aquatic ecosystems from
eutrophication even after remedial measures are put in place; this
phenomenon has for example been experienced in Lough Sheelin.

2.5 Eutrophication is reversible but the time required to obtain
significant improvements may be relatively long, particularly in the case of
lakes. Much depends on the flushing rate of the system, the phosphorus

concentration of the sediments, soil phosphorus levels in the catchment
and the scale and effectiveness of the remedial measures undertaken.

3. CURRENT STATE OF SURFACE WATERS IN IRELAND

3.1 Since 1971, an extensive system of monitoring the quality of surface
waters and the impact of pollution has been in operation in Ireland. These
surveys have shown that, while there has been a significant reduction in the
extent of serious pollution, a progressive increase has occurred in the incidence
of slight and moderate pollution.

125.