EPA: Ireland's Water Quality Remains Poor, Urgent Action Needed on Nutrients and Wastewater

Ireland's water quality remains unsatisfactory, with little change reported last year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Excess nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus from farming, poorly treated wastewater, and chemicals from fertilizers and pesticides, are the primary causes.

These nutrients lead to algal overgrowth, depleting oxygen and harming aquatic habitats. Only 54% of rivers and lakes show good or better biological quality. 43% of river sites have elevated nitrogen, and almost a third of lakes and rivers have excessive phosphorus. The EPA notes no evidence of declining nutrient levels over time.

Roni Hawe, Director of the EPA’s Office of Evidence and Assessment, emphasized the difficulty of rectifying deteriorated waterways and called for urgent action to cut pollution. She highlighted that clean water is vital for ecosystems, drinking water, recreation, and local economies, urging accelerated, targeted measures.

While some improvements were noted, such as in six of 16 rivers surveyed in Wexford's Ballyteigue-Bannow area in 2025, overall progress is slow. The Social Democrats criticized the government and Uisce Éireann for repeated wastewater operational failures. A 2025 EPA report found nearly 60% of wastewater discharges fail to meet pollution prevention standards, with almost half due to poor operational management. Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore called for a zero-tolerance approach and greater accountability for Uisce Éireann's breaches.