Water Services Training Group
16th Annual Conference
Water Sector Reform
Programme
Implementation
INEC, Killarney, 8th November 2012
1
Water Sector Reform
Programme Implementation
Presentation Title
Micheál Ó Cinnéide
Director
Environmental Protection Agency
Achoimre / Outline of Presentation
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1. Environmental Regulation – the core role of
the Water Framework Directive
2. Roles of EPA in Water Monitoring &
Assessment
3. Irish Performance on WFD – results so far..
4. An Update on Water Governance in Ireland
5. EU – update on Plans & Water Assessments
6. The main Water challenges for Ireland & EU
1. New Landscape for Water Management in
Ireland
Integrated focus of the Water Framework
Directive
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WFD is a
Europe wide
Framework for
the protection
of the biology,
chemistry, &
natural
physical form
of all surface &
groundwaters
and dependent
waterbodies.
Integration – a core element of Water Framework
Directive (CIS Guidance, 2003)
WFD aims to achieve Integration of
 Environmental objectives (Quality, quantity &
ecology)
 All water resources (freshwater, coastal, wetlands)
 Disciplines & Data (biology, chemistry, hydrology,
economics)
 Legislation (Nitrates, Urban Waste water, Shellfish
Regs)
 Decision making (Local, River Basin, National)
 Measures (land use, management, pricing)
 Stakeholders ( Irish water, local authorities, NGOs)
So, our WFD approach should reflect this integration !
The Water Framework Directive aims at broad
policy integration
2. Current Roles of the Irish EPA in relation to
Water
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Coordinate national programs on WFD, Bathing
Water, Drinking Water & Waste Water
Monitoring of water Quality (Biology, Chemistry)
Monitoring of water Quantity (Hydrometrics)
(Integrated) Assessment of Water Data
Technical & policy Advice to Government, EU
committees
Reporting to the EU on Water Quality & WFD
Licensing of Industrial plants & Waste Water
Discharges
Enforcement of Licenses, audits & inspections
So, Water is a key focus for the Agency
EPA – River Monitoring & Assessment for the
WFD
EPA Assessment Reports - Causes of Pollution in
Rivers, 2007/09
3. Water Quality in Ireland – Reporting Summary
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Groundwater (EPA data)
 85% of groundwater aquifers are at Good status
 14% of GW area ‘poor’ due to Nitrogen and Phosphate
 >35% private wells are contaminated with faecal bacteria
Rivers
 71% is at High or Good status,
 29% river channel is polluted
 Main cause: ~ 50% due to agriculture /diffuse sources
Lakes
 42% of lake area is High or Good status
 58% of lake area polluted, mainly by Phosphorus
Estuarine and Coastal Waters
 64% of bays are at High or Good status,
 15% polluted
 Agriculture contributes ~80% N load & 26% P load
4. EPA Review of RBMPs – Report to DoELG,
2010
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“The 7 River Basin Plans are good, if
Implemented.. “ but
We need clear governance arrangements, backed
up by legislation, to oversee, coordinate and
report on implementation of the Plans.
An integrated regional and national approach to
deliver the Plans
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Integrated regional planning at RBD level
integration of the monitoring requirements of the EU
Directives and national Regulations
Structures for integrated inspection and
enforcement regime
Dialogue & WFD review (DoELG led) ongoing
since Spring 2011.
Proposed new Water Governance
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3 Tier Water Model - based on consultations to date
with DECLG and CCMA & is subject to resources
5. Status of adoption of WFD plans, mid 2012
EU Synthesis of policy, building on a series of
WFD assessments
Comparison of Water Q in Ireland with other
countries (based on EEA website data)
Starting point and ambition
▌ Exemptions
█ Good
Ecological
Status
█ Unknown
Ecological
Status
6. Challenges for Water Management - Ireland
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Irish Water - Creating the new utility is a catalyst for
change
Integration – We need structures to deliver a “fit for
purpose” integrated Assessment & River Basin
service
Networks – Department, EPA, Irish water & Local
Authorities need to work together to plan,
implement & report on Water Quality management
Regulation - We need legislative change to combine
the new Governance structures for Irish Water &
WFD
Funding - Water monitoring, Assessment & Measures
will be expensive, core dialogue with CER.
Challenge – Maintain our existing water quality
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An absolute priority: there must be ‘no deterioration’
Average phosphate concentrations in EPA national groundwater monitoring network
Challenges for Water Management - Europe
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EU (DG Environment) is preparing “Blueprint for
Water” assessment by November 2012
Their initial view on WFD plans - “its business as
usual, dressed up as implementation”
Challenges with water quality, quantity &
droughts
RBD targets for Status improvement by 2015 /
2021 are ambitious, but “lack of ambitions in
plans”
Public participation & Social Learning in WFD has
been patchy & limited
Integration of decision making is tough, all across
EU