It indicates that, while more than half of our surface waters are in good (or better) condition, water quality in Ireland has seen a decline. Across Ireland farmers are employing innovative technologies and practices that are designed to reduce agriculture’s environmental footprint, both in terms of GHG emissions and water quality impacts. “I suppose agriculture is doing its best and of course the industry must play a serious role in improving water quality. The programme, which is in its fifteenth year, focuses on water quality monitoring in six catchments around Ireland to better understand agriculture’s impacts on water quality, what other factors are involved and what can be done to brings Ireland’s water bodies up to a ‘good’ standard by 2027. A drought — like that in 2018 — can have a massive impact on nutrients entering the water system, for example” says Suzanne.

Source: Irish Examiner May 20, 2023 18:53 UTC