Module 3: Water Quality

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Module 3 Water Quality Unit 1 Current Status

Algal Bloom on a lake shoreline
Algal Bloom on a lake shoreline
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Objectives of this presentation

• To look at the extent to which Irelands surface
  waters are less than good status
• To examine the timescale within which serious
  deterioration has occurred
• To consider evidence of recent recovery in water
  quality

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The current status of water bodies

• RBD plans use a five-tier ranking system to
  classify surface water quality
• High, Good, Moderate, Poor and Bad status
• Ecological classification combined three factors
• Biology
• Supporting water condition (general conditions
  and specific pollutants)
• Supporting hydrology and morphology (physical
  condition)
• One out and out principle

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Lake Water Status The National Picture (2008)
Number of Water Bodies
Lake Water Status
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River/canals Water Status The National Picture
(2008)
Number of Water Bodies
River Water Status
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The North West and Neagh Bann River Basin
Districts
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River/canal water interim status in the North
Western District (2008)
Number of Water Bodies
River Water Status
Lake Water Status
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River Water Status in the Neagh Bann
DistrictCurrent Status (2008)
Number of Water Bodies
River Water Status
Lake Water Status
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River Interim Status For County Monaghan (2008)
Number of Water Bodies
River Water Status
Lake Water Status
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Changes to a typical lake since the 1970s
1970s catchment

• Sedimentary Record
• Increased phosphorous inputs
• from catchment
• Increased algal production
• Increased organic matter
• deposition

Present day catchment
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River Water Quality 1971 2007 Case Study
Slightly polluted
Moderately polluted
Seriously polluted
Unpolluted
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The good news some improvements in water
quality have been measured since the mid 90s
Mountain Water- station 650
Dromore River- station 100
River phosphorus levels (mg/lP)
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Where were at!
Illegal dumping
Lawn grass - dumped in stream
Hard Surface Runoff/Car wash
Contaminated storm water drain
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Fungus in stream from high strength organic wastes
Poaching and run-off from cattle feeding area
Discharge from site development
Effluent following land-spreading
Oil-spill incident
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Discussion/Exercise
Read and discuss the River Basin District
Management Plan for your area