Surface Water Quality in County Limerick

Only 48.2% of river monitoring stations (as of 2001) in County Limerick are classed as unpolluted, compared to a national figure of 62%.  In addition, the Rivers Maigue and the Deel, which drain the majority of the county, are the most polluted rivers in the Country in terms of phosphorous loading.

The Environmental Protection Agency carries out monitoring of the biological river water quality at River Sites in County Limerick. Biological River Water quality is ranked by Q value. The highest (best) Q rating is 5 and the lowest Q rating is 1. The EPA website contains interactive maps that give a map display of river monitoring stations colored by Q rating. See http://www.epa.ie/rivermap/default.htm

Limerick County Councils Environment Laboratory monitors water quality (chemical analysis) at a network of monitoring stations throughout the County.

One of the key nutrients contributing to Water Pollution is Phosphorus. Limerick County Council works to implement the provisions of the Phosphorus Regulations 1998. As per the regulations Limerick County Council has prepared a Phosphorus Implementation Report in 2002.

The Shannon River Basin Management System will also see significant focus on achieving good water quality in the County.