Water Sector Reform and Governance in Ireland: Challenges Ahead

1. Water Services Training Group 16th Annual Conference Water Sector Reform Programme Implementation INEC, Killarney, 8th November 2012 1

2. Water Sector Reform Programme Implementation Presentation Title Micheál Ó Cinnéide Director Environmental Protection Agency

3. 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

4. 1. New Landscape for Water Management in Ireland

5. 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.

6. 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 !

7. The Water Framework Directive aims at broad policy integration

8. 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

9. EPA – River Monitoring & Assessment for the WFD

10. EPA Assessment Reports - Causes of Pollution in Rivers, 2007/09

11. 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

13. 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.

14. Proposed new Water Governance • 3 Tier Water Model - based on consultations to date with DECLG and CCMA & is subject to resources

15. 5. Status of adoption of WFD plans, mid 2012

16. EU Synthesis of policy, building on a series of WFD assessments

17. Comparison of Water Q in Ireland with other countries (based on EEA website data)

18. Starting point and ambition • Exemptions • Good Ecological Status • Unknown Ecological Status

19. 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.

20. Challenge – Maintain our existing water quality • An absolute priority: there must be ‘no deterioration’ Average phosphate concentrations in EPA national groundwater monitoring network

21. 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