Our Water, Our Resource, Our Responsibility Module 3: Water Quality Unit 1: Current Status Algal Bloom on a lake shoreline

Our Water, Our Resource, Our Responsibility Objectives of this presentation  To look at the extent to which Ireland’s surface waters are less than ‘good status’  To examine the timescale within which serious deterioration has occurred  To consider evidence of recent recovery in water quality

Our Water, Our Resource, Our Responsibility The current status of water bodies RBD plans use a five-tier ranking system to classify surface water quality  High, Good, Moderate, Poor and Bad status Ecological classification combined three factors:  Biology  Supporting water condition (general conditions and specific pollutants)  Supporting hydrology and morphology (physical condition) “One out and out” principle

Our Water, Our Resource, Our Responsibility Number of Water Bodies Lake Water Status Lake Water Status: The National Picture (2008)

Our Water, Our Resource, Our Responsibility River/canals Water Status: The National Picture (2008) Number of Water Bodies River Water Status

Our Water, Our Resource, Our Responsibility The North West and Neagh Bann River Basin Districts

Our Water, Our Resource, Our Responsibility River/canal water interim status in the North Western District (2008) Number of Water Bodies River Water Status Lake Water Status

Our Water, Our Resource, Our Responsibility River Water Status in the Neagh Bann District Current Status (2008) Number of Water Bodies River Water Status Lake Water Status

Our Water, Our Resource, Our Responsibility River Interim Status For County Monaghan (2008) Number of Water Bodies River Water Status Lake Water Status

Our Water, Our Resource, Our Responsibility Changes to a typical lake since the 1970s Sedimentary Record:  Increased phosphorous inputs from catchment  Increased algal production  Increased organic matter deposition 1970s catchment Present day catchment

Our Water, Our Resource, Our Responsibility River Water Quality 1971 – 2007 – Case Study Unpolluted Slightly polluted Moderately polluted Seriously polluted

Our Water, Our Resource, Our Responsibility The good news – some improvements in water quality have been measured since the mid 90s Dromore River- station 100 Mountain Water- station 650 River phosphorus levels (mg/lP)

Our Water, Our Resource, Our Responsibility Where we’re at! Hard Surface Runoff/Car wash Illegal dumping Lawn grass - dumped in stream Contaminated storm water drain

Our Water, Our Resource, Our Responsibility Poaching and run-off from cattle feeding area Discharge from site development Fungus in stream from high strength organic wastes Effluent following land- spreading Oil-spill incident

Our Water, Our Resource, Our Responsibility Discussion/Exercise Read and discuss the River Basin District Management Plan for your area