Water Abstraction: Interactions with the Water Framework Directive & Groundwater Directive and Implications for the Status of Ireland’s Waters Authors Eurgeol Dr Kieran Craven, B.Sc. (Geology and Biology), Ph.D. (Geology), PGeo Geologist Director: Rodinia Consulting Dr Harriet Emerson Social Scientist Director: Adjust John Kenny, LLB, LLM, Barrister-at-Law Noreen McLoughlin, B.Sc. (Natural Science) M.Sc. (Freshwater Ecology). MCIEEM Ecologist Director: Whitehill Environmental Dr Colin O’Reilly, B.Agr.Sc. (Eng.Tech.), Ph.D. (Hydrology) Hydrologist Director: Envirologic Steering Group This project was overseen by a Steering Group composed of SWAN staff and representatives from member organisations. They are as follows: Sinead O’Brien SWAN Dr Nuala Freeman SWAN Mindy O’Brien Voice of Irish Concern for the Environment (VOICE) Disclaimer The Sustainable Water Network shall release, defend, indemnify and hold harmless all authors from and against any and all liability which may arise out of the Sustainable Water Network’s use of the report on ‘Water Abstractions ─ Interactions with the Water Framework Directive & Groundwater Directive and Implications for the Status of Ireland’s Waters’, whether caused by the negligence of the authors or those for whom it is responsible or otherwise. Table of Contents Executive Summary ............................................................................................................. i Chapter 1: Introduction – background and objectives of research project .................. 1 1.1 The Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) ............................................................................................ 1 1.2 Research Methodology and Guiding Principles ................................................................................... 2 Chapter 2: Water abstraction and its environmental implications for water resource management ......................................................................................................................... 4 2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 4 2.2 Overview of Abstraction Process ........................................................................................................... 6 2.2.1 Processes of Abstraction ........................................................................................................... 6 2.2.2 Abstractors ..................................................................................................................................... 9 2.3 General Impacts .................................................................................................................................... 11 2.3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 11 2.3.2 Hydrological Impacts .............................................................................................................. 12 2.3.3 Hydrogeological Impacts ....................................................................................................... 18 2.3.4 Freshwater Ecological Impacts ............................................................................................ 27 2.3.5 Future Impacts .......................................................................................................................... 43 2.4 Environmental Flows ............................................................................................................................ 45 2.5 Conclusions ............................................................................................................................................ 48 Chapter 3: Water Resources in Ireland .......................................................................... 50 3.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 50 3.2 Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) ......................................................................................... 51 3.2.1 Principle Objectives ................................................................................................................. 52 3.2.2 Characterisation ....................................................................................................................... 53 3.2.3 Classification .............................................................................................................................. 53 3.3 Implementation in Ireland ................................................................................................................... 58 3.3.1 Overview ...................................................................................................................................... 58 3.3.2 Water Bodies .............................................................................................................................. 58 3.4 Status of Water Bodies in Ireland ....................................................................................................... 62 3.4.1 Monitoring .................................................................................................................................. 62 3.4.2 Surface Water Bodies: Classification ................................................................................. 64 3.4.3 Groundwater Bodies: Classification ................................................................................... 67 3.4.4 Risk Status ................................................................................................................................... 69 3.4.5 Water Status: Summary ......................................................................................................... 74 3.5 Abstraction Pressure ............................................................................................................................ 75 3.6 Conclusions ............................................................................................................................................ 81 Chapter 4: Regulatory Framework ................................................................................. 83 4.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 83 4.2 Abstraction in the Water Framework Directive ................................................................................ 83 4.2.1 Article 3 – Coordination of Administrative Arrangements within River Basin Districts 83 4.2.2 Article 4: Environmental Objectives ................................................................................... 84 4.2.3 Article 7: Water Used for the Abstraction of Drinking Water ................................... 86 1 4.2.4 Article 11: Programme of Measures .................................................................................. 88 4.3 Obligations of the Irish Government in Meeting WFD Requirements ............................................ 89 4.4 Existing Policy and Legislation ............................................................................................................ 90 4.4.1 Water Supplies Act ................................................................................................................... 90 4.4.2 Groundwater and Water Policy Regulations .................................................................. 94 4.4.3 Surface Water Regulations ................................................................................................... 97 4.4.4 Birds and Natural Habitats Regulations .......................................................................... 99 4.4.5 Water Pollution Act 1977 .................................................................................................... 100 4.5 The National Abstraction Register .................................................................................................... 100 4.5.1 The Register .............................................................................................................................. 100 4.5.2 Limitations in the Register .................................................................................................. 110 4.5.3 The RPS Report ........................................................................................................................ 112 4.6 Licencing .............................................................................................................................................. 116 4.7 Other Jurisdictions ............................................................................................................................. 124 4.7.1 Northern Ireland ..................................................................................................................... 124 4.7.2 Scotland ..................................................................................................................................... 128 4.8 Problems with the Current Regulatory System ............................................................................... 132 4.9 Conclusions .......................................................................................................................................... 134 Chapter 5: Abstraction in Ireland ................................................................................