The most recent national overview of water quality in Ireland is provided in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Report, entitled Ireland's Environment 2004.
It is estimated that, in the 1998-2000 period, 70 per cent of the total river channel surveyed (13,200 kilometres) was in a satisfactory quality condition, 17 per cent was slightly polluted, 12 per cent was moderately polluted and 1 per cent seriously polluted.
This represented a slight improvement compared to the previous two assessment periods, which had shown an increasing spread of slight and moderate pollution. Data up to 2002 indicate a reduction in serious pollution.
The position regarding lakes is better, with 85 per cent of those surveyed showing a satisfactory condition, but eutrophication is again reported in many of the larger lakes.
Deficiencies in the management of livestock wastes and the poor siting of on-site wastewater treatment systems such as septic tank systems have also led to contamination of some groundwaters. In 2001/2002, 25 per cent of groundwater samples tested showed faecal contamination; 23 per cent had nitrate levels in excess of the EU guideline value.
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