Ireland is slipping further behind on its water quality targets, with just over half of the country’s surface waters now in satisfactory ecological condition.

The Environmental Protection Agency’s latest report, published today, reveals a worsening trend: only 52 per cent of rivers, lakes, estuaries and coastal waters meet the required standards, down from 54 per cent in the previous assessment.

The Water Quality in Ireland Report 2019–2024 delivers a stark warning. Despite years of action plans and interventions, the overall health of Ireland’s waters is deteriorating. Estuaries and coastal lagoons are in the worst shape, with 70 per cent now classified as unsatisfactory. Groundwaters and canals remain relatively stable, but they are the exception.

The EPA says the main culprits are excess nutrients from agriculture and urban wastewater, compounded by physical damage to aquatic habitats. While targeted efforts have led to some improvement in phosphorus and nitrogen levels, the agency is clear: the pace of change is too slow, and Ireland will not meet its EU and national goal of restoring all waters to good or better status by 2027.

Dr Eimear Cotter, Director of the EPA’s Office of Evidence and Assessment, said the country’s rivers, lakes and estuaries are struggling and lack the resilience to withstand mounting pressures. She described the continued decline as deeply disappointing and called for urgent, sustained action across all sectors.

Dr Jenny Deakin, EPA Programme Manager, said the reductions in phosphorus in priority areas show what can be achieved when interventions are properly targeted. But she warned that further cuts in nitrate levels are essential and that better tracking of on-the-ground actions is needed to accelerate progress.

The report draws on data from more than 1500 monitoring locations and includes assessments of chemical pollution, ecological status and habitat condition. It paints a sobering picture of a national resource under strain, and a policy framework that is not delivering fast enough.

Local water quality data and information on pressures are available at catchments.ie.