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Irish Examiner
03-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
EPA finds over '100 key risks' to the State posed by climate change
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified more than 100 key risks to the State posed by climate change, with extreme wind, coastal erosion, and flooding among the biggest threats, with impacts that can cascade across the economy. In a major report, it says the State must take urgent action within the next five years to minimise the risk posed to our communications and energy distribution infrastructure by extreme wind, and to minimise the risk to our buildings and transport infrastructure from extreme wind, coastal erosion, and coastal flooding. It says the State must also prioritise addressing additional significant risks to the built environment and human health from flooding and heat. These are among the key findings in the National Climate Change Risk Assessment, which is the first comprehensive study of its kind in Ireland. The study was undertaken by the EPA in collaboration with government departments, State agencies, and other stakeholders to assess where, when, and how climate risks are likely to impact Ireland over the coming decades. It has identified 115 individual risks from projected changes in climate conditions, of which 43 are deemed significant risks. The EPA says the significant risks requiring urgent action within the next five years are: The risk of disruption and damage to communications and energy distribution infrastructure due to extreme wind; The risk of disruption and damage to buildings and transport infrastructure due to extreme wind, coastal erosion, and coastal flooding. It also identified risks that need to be addressed across a raft of other sectors, including water security, public health, and food production and supply. EPA director general Laura Burke said we know Ireland is being impacted by climate change already, and this report provides the best available evidence and analysis to inform climate adaptation and resilience measures at a national level. 'Recent events, such as the storms Darragh and Éowyn, demonstrated how damage to critical infrastructure such as energy, water supply, transport, and communications networks, in turn, give rise to impacts on human health, biodiversity, and the financial system,' she said. 'Addressing these risks in an integrated and consistent way is key to achieving our national climate resilience objective.' Eimear Cotter, director of the EPA's office of evidence and assessment, said this report underscores the need for immediate action in the next five years to enhance the resilience of Ireland's critical infrastructure to climate change. 'The risks with the most consequential and highest urgency ratings relate to extreme wind, coastal erosion, and coastal flooding. These must be prioritised in adaptation and resilience actions,' she said. This study will support the development of various sectoral adaptation plans by government departments, and guide the development of local authority adaptation plans. Meanwhile, figures from the Department of Social Protection show there were 93,007 applications registered in respect of 75,733 people, totalling almost €12.8m, for the humanitarian assistance scheme that was opened after extensive damage caused by Storm Éowyn in January. TG4's 7LÁ programme found that Galway and Mayo accounted for over half of all the applicants. Galway had the highest number of applications, with 30,592, Mayo the second highest with 17,303, and Roscommon the third highest with 8,702 applications. There have been just over 52,600 successful applications for the humanitarian assistance scheme in relation to Storm Éowyn, resulting in payouts of just over €12.8m, with others still under consideration. Some 22,149 applicants whose claims have been decided but who have not yet been awarded a payment. Read More Four billion endured extra month of extreme heat due to climate change – report
Irish Daily Mirror
08-05-2025
- Climate
- Irish Daily Mirror
Two Irish beaches deemed to have 'poor' quality bathing water, EPA report finds
Two Irish beaches have been deemed to have poor quality bathing water, according to a report published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The water in Lady's Bay in Buncrana, County Donegal and Dublin's Sandymount Beach failed to meet the EPA's standards for 2024, with factors such as contamination from dog fouling and drain misconnections among the main reasons for the classification. Bathing water classified as 'poor' usually means a risk of microbiological pollution to swimmers, which could result in gastric upset or skin rashes. Management plans are currently in place at both beaches to identify and mitigate any sources of pollution. These beaches are also more vulnerable to pollution incidents, which can lead authorities to temporarily impose bathing restrictions. Once the water is deemed to no longer pose a risk to swimmers, these restrictions are typically lifted. Just two beaches having poor quality bathing water represents a net decrease from the previous year, when five bathing sites were classified in that category. Across the board, Irish bathing water quality was high in 2024. In total, 96 per cent of sites surveyed (145 of 151) either met or exceeded the EPA's minimum standard, up two per cent from 2023. Three new beaches were identified as part of the report - Half-Moon in County Dublin, Dromineer Lake in County Tipperary and The Cove in Greystones, County Wicklow. Half-Moon was judged to have 'excellent' water quality, while more samples must be taken from the latter two before they are fully incorporated. Additionally, 81 per cent of beaches surveyed were deemed to have excellent water quality. "We are happy to bring a positive news story on our bathing water quality for 2024, which is overall very good," said Dr Eimear Cotter, director of the EPA's Office of Evidence and Assessment. "Indeed, we have the highest number of 'Excellent' classifications for bathing waters since 2014. However, heavy rainfall during another bathing season has emphasised the need to build climate resilience into the management of bathing waters." Heavy rainfall - which can lead to deterioration in bathing water quality - posed a great challenge to many beach authorities last year. Patches of localised rainfall in parts of the north and northwest forced the restriction and closure of multiple beaches to protect public health - however, the number of restrictions decreased from 2023 to 2024. "Local authorities must step up their efforts to improve their understanding of causes of pollution from heavy rainfall and how this impacts beaches," said Cotter. "This is also important outside the official bathing water season as more and more people are enjoying outdoor swimming all year round." Urban wastewater incidents were the most frequent cause of beach closures last year, with run-off from agriculture, dog fouling and household wastewater being directed to surface drains instead of sewers (known as a 'misconnection') also common. In total, 34 pollution incidents were reported to the EPA in 2024, compared to 45 in 2023. On top of more serious pollution incidents, the EPA also issued 79 'prior warning' notices to beachgoers last year, compared to 143 in 2023, a sharp decline. These notices typically warn of short-term pollution to bathing water, commonly caused by heavy rainfall. Prior warnings last for only a few days, and are rescinded once the water is deemed safe again. Information on any incident regarding beach water is available throughout the bathing season, from the June 1 to September 15. Swimmers are encouraged to visit before planning a trip to the seaside.
The Irish Sun
08-05-2025
- Climate
- The Irish Sun
Popular Irish beach hit with poor quality rating due to dog fouling and sewage as 34 hit with ‘pollution' closure orders
TWO popular Irish beaches have been slammed with "poor" quality ratings after "dog fouling" and sewage was reported in the public areas. A new report from the Environmental Protection Agency has revealed the best of Ireland's 2 Sandymount Strand has been given a poor rating Credit: Alamy 2 Lady's Bay also received a poor rating Credit: Trip Advisor While there were a total of 145 beaches across the country receiving an "excellent" Lady's Bay in Buncrana, Co Last year, five beaches around Ireland were said to have poor water quality, with this year seeing a reduction by three. The issues causing pollution at READ MORE IN NEWS While at Elsewhere across the country, the majority of beaches were given an "excellent rating". A total of 96 per cent of sites met or exceeded the minimum standard, with 145 out of 151 hitting this. Of these beaches, 122 sites were deemed as having "excellent" water quality. Most read in Irish News This is the highest amount given this rating since 2014. There were 19 beaches with a "good" water quality rating, while four were given "sufficient". Three new bathing waters were also identified, with the Half-Moon in CLOSURE ORDERS A total of 34 pollution incidents were also reported in 2024 leading to the closure of some bathing waters. This figure is down from 45 reported in 2023. Of these, 18 of the closures were due to the presence of Urban waste water was the cause most frequently listed, with agricultural runoff, contamination from The report said: "Heavy rainfall can result in wastewater overflows and in runoff from agricultural lands and urban areas, which can cause short-term deterioration in water quality." The EPA issued 79 prior warning notices in 2024, a drop from 149 issued in 2023. These notices advised of potential pollution events to protect bathers' health. 'SET UP EFFORTS' They are now urging They are also calling for sustainable urban drainage to be implemented as local authorities need to "prioritise measures to improve the two Poor bathing waters, and to increase the number of bathing waters at Good or Excellent". Director of the EPA's Office of Evidence and Assessment Dr Eimear Cotter told She said: "Heavy rainfall in the west and north-west last August especially resulted in many beaches being closed to protect swimmers' health. "Local authorities must step up their efforts to improve their understanding of causes of pollution from heavy rainfall and how this impacts beaches. "This is also important outside the official bathing water season as more and more people are enjoying outdoor swimming all year round."
Extra.ie
08-05-2025
- Climate
- Extra.ie
'Excellent' water quality news for Irish beachgoers this summer
A large majority of Irish swimming spots and beaches have been given a water quality rating of 'excellent' by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA found that of the 151 officially designated bathing areas, 122 of them were given a water quality of excellent last year, with the quality checks being carried out during the official three month bathing period between June 1 and September 15. 19 bathing spots were given a 'good ranking' and four more met the minimum 'sufficient' standard, while two beaches failed with a 'poor' rating; which is down from three in 2023. The two beaches that failed were Lady's Beach in Buncrana, Co Donegal, and Sandymount in Dublin — both of which failed last year, and will be hit with no swim notices. A large majority of Irish swimming spots and beaches have been given a water quality rating of 'excellent' by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Pic: Getty Despite the good news for swimmers, there are some caveats surrounding the results; mainly that waters are only tested during the three-and-a-half month official bathing season, while some people will swim year round. The areas that rank highly may also suffer from dips in quality, while heavy rain could overwhelm storm drains — meaning that untreated waste water may get onto the shorelines. There were 79 'prior warning' notices from city and county councils during the wet spells, but the number of closures due to confirmed pollution incidents were 34 — down nine from 45 in 2023. And despite the improvements, the EPA have called on local authorities to invest more in climate resilience, and managing bathing waters. 122 beaches were given 'excellent' ratings by the EPA, while two were given a 'poor' or failure rating — down from three in 2023. Pic: Roy Harris/Shutterstock 'We are happy to bring a positive news story on our bathing water quality for 2024, which is overall very good,' Dr Eimear Cotter, Director of Evidence and Assessment at the EPA, said. 'However, heavy rainfall during another bathing season has emphasised the need to build climate resilience into the management of bathing waters. 'Heavy rainfall in the west and north-west last August especially resulted in many beaches being closed to protect swimmers' health. Local authorities must step up their efforts to improve their understanding of causes of pollution from heavy rainfall and how this impacts beaches. 'This is also important outside the official bathing water season as more and more people are enjoying outdoor swimming all year round.' The EPA have also called for local councils to build climate resilience into bathing water management. Pic: Getty Images There were also three new bathing sites identified in 2024, with Half Moon in Dublin being given an excellent rating. The other two sites, Dromineer Lake in Co Tipperary and The Cove in Greystones, Co Wicklow are yet to be rated. The good news comes as one of Ireland's most stunning beaches was identified as one of the top 50 in the world.
Irish Examiner
08-05-2025
- Climate
- Irish Examiner
Bathing waters achieve highest number of 'excellent' quality ratings since 2014
Ireland's bathing waters have been given a near-perfect clean bill of health. According to the Environment Protection Agency (EPA)'s Bathing Water Quality Report 2024, the quality of the majority of our bathing waters is rated either 'excellent' or 'good'. Some 96% of the 151 identified bathing waters met or exceeded the minimum required standard of 'sufficient'. A total of 122 bathing waters were rated as 'excellent quality', the highest number since 2014 — when the 'excellent' classification was introduced — which is an increase of eight since 2023. Just two bathing waters were classed as 'poor', down from five in 2023. These were Lady's Bay, Buncrana, and Sandymount Strand, Dublin. As a result, they will have swimming restrictions for this year's season. The director of the agency's office of evidence and assessment, Eimear Cotter, said: 'We are happy to bring a positive news story on our bathing water quality for 2024, which is overall very good. Indeed, we have the highest number of 'excellent' classifications for bathing waters since 2014 However, she said heavy rainfall during another bathing season 'emphasised the need to build climate resilience into the management of bathing waters'. 'Heavy rainfall in the West and North-West last August resulted in many beaches being closed to protect swimmers' health. 'Local authorities must step up their efforts to improve their understanding of causes of pollution from heavy rainfall and how this impacts beaches.' A total of 122 bathing waters were rated as 'excellent' quality in the EPA's report. Source: EPA In 2024, the EPA was notified of 34 pollution incidents which resulted in the closure of bathing waters — down from 45 in 2023. The majority (18) were due to the presence of pollution in sample results and, in one case, due to algal blooms. Bathing waters were also closed as a precaution after overflows in the sewer network 15 times. In 2024, there were 79 'prior warning' notices by local authorities when there were potential pollution events that could affect swimmers' health. The number given in 2024 was 149 less than 2023, and 81% of them were reported during August. The annual report on bathing water quality in Ireland during 2024 is based on data supplied by local authorities who monitor and manage bathing waters in their area. Each year, local authorities take samples of bathing waters just before and during the bathing season. In Ireland, the season currently runs from June 1 to September 15 at a minimum each year. Each local authority determines the season length in their area The EPA classifies water quality at beaches and lakes in four ways: 'Excellent', 'good', 'sufficient', or 'poor'. The minimum mandatory requirement is for 'sufficient' quality. That any bathing water is classified as 'poor' means there is a risk of microbiological pollution present, which could cause illness such as skin rashes or gastric upset. Overall, there was less rainfall in summer 2024, compared to 2023, the report noted. However, there were periods of heavy rain in August — resulting in increased incident reporting along the West coast. This, the EPA said, highlights the need to build 'climate resilience' into the management of pollution from pressures driven by heavy rainfall — including overflows from urban wastewater systems and run-off from agricultural land. Read More WaterMARKE project report identifies drivers and barriers for farmers to protect water quality
