WSTG Conference Presentation M OCinneide.
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Transcript WSTG Conference Presentation M OCinneide.
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
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
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
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
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
“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
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
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
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
An absolute priority: there must be ‘no deterioration’
Average phosphate concentrations in EPA national groundwater monitoring network
Challenges for Water Management - Europe
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