No improvement to water quality standards in 2025 - EPA

Ireland's water quality standards saw no major improvements in 2025, according to the latest annual report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Many areas continue to fall short of satisfactory levels, with excess nutrients from agricultural runoff and wastewater posing the most significant challenges.

The report highlights that phosphorus and nitrate levels remain higher than recommended. While nutrient levels can fluctuate annually, the overall trend shows a lack of sustained improvement. These excessive nutrient loads can lead to algal blooms, which deplete oxygen in the water and disrupt the delicate balance of aquatic habitats.

Specifically, 43% of rivers exhibit nitrate concentrations that are too high, a problem particularly acute in the eastern and southeastern regions. Furthermore, over 30% of lakes have excessive phosphorus concentrations, with the border region being especially affected. The EPA stresses that the pace and scale of current measures to restore water quality are insufficient.

Despite the national picture, the EPA points to localized success stories, such as improvements in the biological quality of six rivers within the Ballyteigue Bannow catchment in County Wexford. Dr. Jenny Deakin of the EPA emphasized the importance of understanding the specific factors contributing to these successes to inform broader strategies. The agency advocates for wider actions that match the scale of the problem, calling for tailored interventions for specific water bodies to expedite the enhancement of water quality.

“

It was important to determine what specific changes had occurred there, so that information could be used to inform actions elsewhere.