Mr Phil Hogan T.D., the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, now invites submissions and comments on the preparation phase under Article 5.2(a) of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, notably reporting of the Initial Assessment (Article 8); Determination of Good Environmental Status (Article 9) and Establishment of Environmental Indicators (Article 10). A total of 133 Reporting Sheets (external link) were submitted to the European Environment Agency’s ‘EIONET’ Central Data Repository website.
Consistent with Article 19 of the Directive, a draft summary of the Initial Assessment, Determination of Good Environmental Status and Establishment of Environmental Indicators is being prepared and will be made available by September 2013 for further consultation. However, to ensure all interested parties are given an early and effective opportunity to participate in the implementation of the Directive and, following on the publication of the information document, Ireland’s Marine Strategy Framework Directive Implementation in December 2012, ‘pdf’ versions of the reporting sheets are available. To view these reporting sheets and for further information on the consulation and how submit a response to the go to the Department website by clicking here.
36 hours to protect our water quality
In the next 36 hours your MEPs will be voting on key reforms of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy. For almost 50 years the CAP has subsidised increasingly intensive agriculture which has polluted rivers, lakes and bays around Ireland and Europe. Email your MEPs to vote stop CAP reform polluting our water. Its quick and easy to do click here
Hogan announces septic tank grants scheme of up to €4,000 to help protect water quality
The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Mr. Phil Hogan, T.D., today (17 December 2012) announced a grant scheme to provide financial assistance to households whose septic tanks and other domestic waste water treatment systems, require remediation or upgrading following inspection under the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012.
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A new report from the European Environment Agency (EEA)
This report describes how the natural cycle of water availability is continuously coming under threat from a variety of different pressures like droughts and water scarcity, pollution, and flood risks which all increase the vulnerability of the freshwater ecosystems and societies. Land use, water abstraction and climate change are human-induced changes that alter the natural flow regimes that exist in water bodies.
To view/download this report click here
EPA Drinking Water Report for 2011
The recently published EPA report states that ‘The quality of drinking water from private supplies is a growing cause for concern. This year, the HSE reported a doubling of the number of VTEC cases, which is a harmful member of the E. coli family. VTEC can be transmitted in a number of ways, e.g. person to person, waterborne, or foodborne. The second most common transmission route reported by the HSE this year so far is waterborne transmission.”
To view a summary of the main findings of the report click here
To view/download a copy of the full report click here
1. Aquaculture development in Ireland: Interactions with the Water Framework Directive & the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and implications for the status of Ireland’s waters.
2. The Marine Strategy Framework Directive in Ireland: Requirements, implications and opportunities for environmentally sustainable management of our marine waters.
3. Integrated Coastal Zone Management in Ireland – Meeting Water Framework Directive and Marine Strategy Framework Directive targets for Ireland’s transitional and coastal waters through Integrated Coastal Zone Management.
Tender applications are invited for each individual research project and applicants may tender for one, two or all three of the research projects. In the case of the suite of 3 being tendered for, an individual tender for each work package must be submitted, which will be assessed individually and the deliverables will be a discrete and separate report for each research project.
1. Aquaculture development in Ireland: Interactions with the Water Framework Directive & the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and implications for the status of Ireland’s waters
This research project will provide a well referenced overview of EU and Irish policy, legislation and guidance regarding aquaculture and implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). It will further provide an evidence-based critical analysis of aquaculture impacts (individual and cumulative) on the environment in Ireland, set in the context of relevant policy and legislation and, specifically, existing Irish aquaculture planning, licensing, monitoring, control and reporting. It should also have regard to the potential implications of Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth and Food Harvest 2020 production targets for the aquatic environment.
Based on the above research the contractors will draft a set of recommendations on how to best plan and manage aquaculture – both strategically and by site - in Ireland, in order to achieve WFD and MSFD objectives. The recommendations will draw on work abroad and include case studies to illustrate key points and encourage best practice. It will cover both future and existing aquaculture activities, and should also include recommendations for mitigation and restoration measures.
2. The Marine Strategy Framework Directive in Ireland: Requirements, implications and opportunities for environmentally sustainable management of our marine waters.
This research will provide an analysis of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), its requirements and implications for Ireland and its potential for addressing pressures on Ireland’s marine waters. It will also investigate and outline any overlaps/synergies with Water Framework Directive (WFD) implementation and objectives and with integrated coastal zone management approaches. The overall objective of this work package is to develop a set of evidence-based recommendations for how best to implement the MSFD in Ireland in order to meet the requirements of the directive and address the pressures on Ireland’s marine environment. This will be supported by international best practise where applicable to Ireland and by a critical analysis of the current legislative and policy regime, including implementation and enforcement arrangements currently in place.
3. Integrated Coastal Zone Management in Ireland – Meeting Water Framework Directive and Marine Strategy Framework Directive targets for Ireland’s transitional and coastal waters through Integrated Coastal Zone Management
This research report will comprise an analysis of integrated coastal zone policy and legislation governing the coastal zone in Ireland. The key objective of the research is to provide evidence-based recommendations for how to best implement integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) in Ireland in order to meet Water Framework Directive (WFD) and Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations for Ireland’s transitional & coastal environment, supported by European and international case studies and best practise, where applicable to Ireland and in the context of a detailed critical analysis of current policy and legislative provisions pertaining to coastal pressures and their drivers.
Each research report must be supported by references to up-to-date literature, EU guidance, international case studies and best practise and carried out in the context of a critical analysis of current relevant policy and legislation in Ireland, including, where appropriate, the requirements of the WFD and MSFD and the potential implications of Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth and Food Harvest 2020 targets for the aquatic environment.
An important element of each research project will be focused consultation with a number of key decision-makers and relevant stakeholders.
More detailed individual tender briefs for each of the 3 projects are available on request from info@swanireland.ie
The project is time-critical with a deadline of Friday December 15th 2012. The budget for each paper is in the region of €5,000 – €5,500.
Proposals should be submitted by email to Sinead O’Brien, Coordinator, Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) at sobrien@swanireland.ie or info@swanireland.ie by midday Friday November 9th 2012.
The EPA have published the proposal for the National Inspection Plan for domestic waste water treatment systems. Public consultation on this proposal is open until Wednesday 31st October. For further information and to view the consulation document click here
Did you know that it takes 18,900 litres of water for production of 1kg of coffee? For production of 1kg of beef 15,400 litres of water is needed and for 1kg of sheep 10,400 litres of water is used. 92% of water we use is used in food production.
What can we do:
- Have one meet-free-day a week
- Choose meat raised on grass
- Do not waste food
It is worth reading an interesting infographic story on water consumption of how much water we use and what can we do: http://www.angelamorelli.com/water
The EPA have published the proposal for the National Inspection Plan for domestic waste water treatment systems. Public consultation on this proposal is open until Wednesday 31st October. For further information and to view the consulation document click here
An interesting research has been published in the issue of Science for Environment Policy on how Satellite technology helps monitor water quality in lakes. To read it please click here.
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The Plan- Water Supply Project–Dublin Region
In accordance with the Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012 published by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, Dublin City Council has prepared a Plan for the Water Supply Project – Dublin Region.
The Plan is to develop a new water source for the Greater Dublin Region as part of the Water Services Investment Programme (2010-2012) to supplement existing water supply sources and to meet water supply requirements up to 2040 and beyond.
For more information or to view The Plan please click here
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Consultation Paper on the High Level Design of the Petroleum Safety Framework
In August 2011 the Commission for Energy Regulation, Ireland, published its Consultation Paper on the High Level Design of the Petroleum Safety Framework. To see it please click here.
The public is invited to comment on the issues raised in this Paper by submission of written responses by close of business on Tuesday September 27th 2011.
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Tackling urban water shortages: new technologies for self-sufficiency
A Danish study of alternative water supply systems suggests that adopting a mix of different technologies could optimise the potential for water self- sufficiency in urban areas. To read more please click here
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EU Commission has launched a new consultation on coastal and marine areas management
EU Commission has opened a new consultation on coastal and marine areas management. Transparent planning and management of European waters are needed to balance the interests at play against sustaining the long-term benefit of coastal and marine resources to society. With these objectives in mind, the European Commission has launched a public consultation to explore options for future EU action on Maritime Spatial Planning and Integrated Coastal Zone Management. The Commission is seeking the views of all interested individuals and organisations. The consultation runs for eight weeks. To see the consultation please click here.
More details on Integrated Coastal Zone Management and Maritime Spatial Planning
Press release
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EPA Water Quality for 2007-2009 report has been published and presents an overview of Irish water quality for the years 2007-2009
EPA Water Quality for 2007-2009 report has been just published. The data are presented against the new ecological status criteria of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and previous EPA reports.
Some of the findings in the report are:
- Just 52% of all rivers in Ireland achieve good status and 48% are of moderate, poor or bad status. There are still 27 river sites classified as seriously polluted.
- Of 222 lakes in Ireland only 105 of them achieve good or high status. 92 lakes are still of moderate, 19 of poor and 6 of bad status.
- 121 coastal and transitional water bodies were assessed from 2007-09 for WFD status classification, using psychochemical elements and biological quality and of these 54% were classified of moderate or worse ecological status.
- In relation to bathing waters 8 seawater-bathing areas failed to achieve adequate water quality status. These are:
- Balbriggan Front Strand,
- Skerries South Beach,
- Sutton Burrow Beach (Dublin)
- Clifden Beach (Co. Galway)
- Dunmore Strand (Co. Waterford)
- Duncannon (Co. Wexford)
- Killala Ross Beach (Co. Mayo)
- Youghal Main Beach (Co. Cork)
The report also states that: “from the findings it is apperant that substantial measures will be needed in order for Ireland to fully comply with the objectives of the Water Framework Directive (WFD).”
To read the full EPA Water Quality for 2007-2009 report please click here.
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Irish Wildlife Trust produce a beautiful booklet about Our Wetlands Heritage
The Irish Wildlife Trust is delighted to announce the publication of ‘’Our Wetlands Heritage’’. The booklet explores our wetland’s wildlife, everything from dragonflies, butterflies, frogs and newts to wetland birds right up to our largest carnivore the otter. The booklet also explores the value of wetlands and the ecosystem services they provide, and examines the associated threats and what we can do to ensure wetland protection for the future.
You can order a copy today by placing an order here. You can phone in using your credit card to 01-8602839 or send a cheque or postal order for €5.00 (+ P&P 95c) to Irish Wildlife Trust, Sigmund Business Centre, 93A Lagan Road, Dublin Industrial Estate, Glasnevin, Dublin 11.
IWT would like to thank the Heritage Council for funding the printing of thisbooklet under the Heritage Education, Communications and Outreach Grants Scheme 2010.
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