Ireland Faces Continued Challenges in Protecting Waterways, Environmental Network Warns

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Ireland Faces Continued Challenges in Protecting Waterways, Environmental Network Warns

Ireland Faces Continued Challenges in Protecting Waterways, Environmental Network Warns

Ecosphere News Service 2026-06-17 16:32:05

Dublin, Ireland - Ireland continues to fall short in safeguarding its rivers, lakes, and coastal waters from pollution, according to the Sustainable Water Network (SWAN), following the release of the latest water quality report by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The report highlights a concerning decline in the ecological health of Irish waterways. Of the 334 river water bodies identified with high-status environmental objectives, only 182 achieved high aquatic invertebrate quality between 2023 and 2025. This represents a 25 percent net decline compared to the 2010–2012 period.
Environmental experts warn that deteriorating water quality threatens aquatic ecosystems and natural food chains. Reduced aquatic invertebrate populations can negatively affect fish species, including the already vulnerable Atlantic salmon, while also impacting wildlife such as kingfishers and otters that depend on healthy fish populations.
SWAN stated that the findings demonstrate that little meaningful progress has been made in improving water quality despite years of planning and policy initiatives. The organization noted that rivers, lakes, and coastal waters remain under pressure from agricultural activities, forestry operations, and wastewater pollution.
Puneeta Sreenivas, Freshwater Policy Officer at SWAN, described the report as a serious warning regarding the state of Ireland’s freshwater environment. She emphasized that existing measures under the government's current Water Action Plan have not been sufficient to reverse the decline in water quality.
As Ireland develops its next Water Action Plan, SWAN is urging the government to introduce stronger and more targeted measures for water bodies identified as degraded or at risk. The network is calling for greater focus on pollution sources within specific catchments, alongside stronger enforcement of existing environmental regulations and improved accountability for ineffective policies.
The environmental coalition also expressed concern that Ireland’s ongoing water quality issues could affect its standing within the European Union. With the country set to assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, SWAN argues that insufficient protection of waterways undermines Ireland’s environmental credibility. The organization noted that Ireland has previously been found in breach of the European Union Water Framework Directive by the European Court of Justice.
SWAN is a coalition of 26 environmental organizations working to promote the protection and sustainable management of Ireland’s water environment. The network continues to advocate for stronger action to restore and preserve the country's freshwater and coastal ecosystems.
Environmental groups maintain that decisive action will be essential if Ireland is to reverse declining water quality trends and meet its national and European environmental commitments.
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