12/10/2007

Groundwater Contamination Alert

Nearly 60% of groundwater locations tested by the Environmental Protection Agency in Ireland for a recent survey was contaminated by human or animal sewage, a water quality report has revealed.

The Water Quality in Ireland 2006 report found that around a quarter of the groundwater locations examined exceeded the national guideline value for nitrate concentration for drinking water, while 2% breached the mandatory limit.

The report also found that although the number of fish kills were reduced compared to 2005, they still remained at an unacceptably high level.

However, the report found that 92% of lake surface area and 71% of river channel length examined were of satisfactory water quality and that the overall quality of the bathing waters in Ireland remained very good.

The EPA will present the report to John Gormley, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on Friday.

(KMcA)


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