Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 54: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he is satisfied that ground water sources here are of an acceptable level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27729/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The obligation to protect groundwater quality derives, in the main, from its suitability for use as a source for drinking water supply.

In line with the requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive, the EPA carries out a national groundwater monitoring programme which is used to assess the general state of groundwater quality and groundwater levels in Ireland.

The key indicators for groundwater quality are faecal coliforms and nitrates. In relation to faecal coliforms, approximately 29% of the samples taken by the EPA between 2004 and 2006 as part of its monitoring programme, tested positive. As regards nitrates, relatively low concentrations of nitrate are found in groundwater in its natural state. However, the mean nitrate concentration found by the EPA exceeded the statutory guide concentration of 25 milligrammes per litre at approximately 25% of monitoring sites over the same period.

Groundwater is the only aquatic system showing a trend of decline in water quality and this is a matter of concern. The greatest degree of groundwater pollution is found in karst limestone areas and in areas with more intensive agricultural activities. Agricultural run-off has been identified by the EPA as posing the greatest threat to the quality of the groundwater resource.

Against this background, measures for the protection and improvement of water quality continue to be progressed on a systematic basis, particularly within the context of the Water Framework Directive. My Department's Water Services Investment Programme and the Nitrates Action Programme are key contributors to improving water quality in line with the requirements of the Directive. Some €2 billion has been invested since 2000 in new and upgraded waste water services. The Nitrates Action Programme promotes good agricultural practice and provides strengthened statutory support for the protection of waters against pollution from agricultural sources.

In addition, I will be making regulations over the next few months to transpose the EU Groundwater Directive. These regulations will establish quality standards for groundwater and provide for measures to prevent or limit inputs of pollutants into groundwater.

I am satisfied that these measures will lead to an improvement in groundwater quality. The most recent EPA report on water quality notes that with the type of groundwater pollution occurring in Ireland, chiefly nutrient enrichment, there is a relatively short recovery time for our aquatic ecosystems.