Water Framework Directive

The EU Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) requires all Member States to protect and improve water quality in all waters so that we achieve good ecological status by 2015 or, at the latest, by 2027. It was given legal effect in Ireland by the European Communities (Water Policy) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 722 of 2003). It applies to rivers, lakes, groundwater, and transitional coastal waters. The Directive requires that management plans be prepared on a river basin basis and specifies a structured method for developing these plans.

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/f7c76-water-framework-directive/

River Basin Management Plans are plans to protect and improve the water environment. They are prepared and reviewed every six years.  The Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage published Ireland’s 3rd River Basin Management Plan in September 2024. The new plan titled ‘Water Action Plan 2024 – A River Basin Management Plan for Ireland’ sets out the actions planned for implementation between now and the end of 2027. The Plan sets out a roadmap to restore Ireland’s waterbodies to the equivalent of ‘good status’ or better and to protect water from any further deterioration. This plan focuses on protecting and restoring water quality by preventing and reducing pollution, by restoring the natural ecosystem functions of rivers and by continuing to invest in water infrastructure. With only 52% of rivers; 48% of lakes and 63% of coastal waterbodies at national level currently reaching the required water quality standard set by EU and national law, immediate and comprehensive action is essential to deliver this Plan and achieve improvements nationally.

https://www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/8da54-river-basin-management-plan-2022-2027/

Monaghan County Council like all local authorities are a Water Framework Directive implementing body, some examples of our water functions which are carried out to protect and improve water quality in County Monaghan are listed below:

  • Sampling of County Monaghan rivers and lakes as part of the Water Framework Directive Monitoring Programme.
  • Implementation of an investigative river sampling programme within County Monaghan.
  • Inspections of farmyards and agriculture related activities.
  • Licensing and monitoring of discharges to waters of trade effluent and domestic type effluent >5m3 per day which are not services by the public sewer system.
  • Investigating water pollution complaints relating to agricultural pollution, wastewater, septic tanks, spills, unauthorised discharges to water.

 

The www.catchments.ie website shares science and stories about Ireland’s water catchments, and people’s connections to their water catchments, and people’s connections to their water.