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Updated map published by EPA: Targeting Agricultural Measures

The EPA has recently published a map that shows which actions by farmers have the greatest potential to improve water quality for each area in the country. Agriculture is the most significant pressure on water quality in Ireland and action is required so we can have healthy and clean waters.

The new map layer Targeting Agricultural Measures is now available on the EPA Water Map at https://gis.epa.ie/EPAMaps/Water – see ‘Taking Action’ to switch on this layer.

This updated 2023 map incorporates key national datasets and assigns flags to indicate the potential water quality issues to focus on.

The new 'Targeting Agricultural measures map on catchments.ie and the EPA Water Map — Targeting Agricultural Measures

Where agricultural measures are needed to restore water quality, one or more flags indicate the types of water quality issues in that area.

Navy flag – Phosphorus/Sediment losses
Navy and Orange Flag: Phosphorus/Sediment and Nitrate losses
Orange Flag: Nitrate losses
Red, Orange and Navy Losses – Point Source and Phosphorus/Sediment losses
White Flag: Protect measures

Image and Text explaining what each of the colours on the new map mean:

Navy flag - Phosphorus/Sediment losses

Navy and Orange Flag: Phosphorus/Sediment and Nitrate losses

Orange Flag: Nitrate losses

Red, Orange and Navy Losses - Point Source and Phosphorus/Sediment losses

White Flag: Protect measures

Download this data

This map can also be downloaded from the EPA Geoportal at https://gis.epa.ie/GetData/Download – see Water / Water Framework Directive General Information – Targeting Agricultural Measures 2023R2

Pollution Impact Potential for N and P

We also have N and P Pollution Impact Potential (PIP) Maps, overland flow pathways and flow interception points to help target actions in areas where water quality monitoring indicates an impact. This shows PIP-P, overland flow pathways and interception points around EPA HQ:

Map showing PIP-P, overland flow pathways and interception points around EPA HQ in Wexford.

Taking Action

The video below from @IFAmedia and @teagasc shows actions farmers can take to improve water quality on their farm.

Apply manure, slurry and fertiliser correctly.
Introduce an extended buffer zone.
Locate water troughs away from waterways.
Implement a nutrient management plan.
Introduce mixed species & clover to your grass swards.

You can learn more here: SmartFarming | Sources and Solutions – Link Between Our Soils & Water Quality

A Handbook of Source Protection and Mitigation Actions for Farming

The National Federation of Group Water Schemes has also produced this very useful and detailed guide to on-farm actions to improve water quality: NFGWS_handbook_farming-mitigation-actionsFebruary2021.pdf

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NEW MAP AVAILABLE: 'Targeting Agricultural Measures'

Our Water Framework Directive work focuses on what are the significant pressures on water quality in Ireland and identifying the right measure in the right place to fix these.

Agriculture is the most significant pressure. pic.twitter.com/XVbjzTI8l2
— EPA Catchments (@EPACatchments) February 13, 2023

About author

EPA Catchments Unit

Administrator

The EPA Catchments Unit is based in Dublin, and the team is involved with catchment science, chemistry, ecology, hydromorphology, modelling, Geographic Information Systems and planning. We work with the wider EPA, all of our local authorities, the Local Authority Waters and Communities Office, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, and other public bodies and Departments to ensure we have the best available data and information about our catchments.

Who is involved?
Quite simply, everyone in Ireland has a role to play. This can be from something as simple as making sure you don’t pollute your local stream, or a local community working together to establish a Rivers Trust to enhance the rivers and lakes in their area, to a Government Department or Agency helping a Minister implement a new policy to help protect and enhance all our water bodies.

This website has been developed and is maintained by the Environmental Protection Agency, and is a collaboration between the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Local Authority Waters Programme.

Local Authority Waters Programme

The Local Authority Waters Programme coordinates the efforts of local authorities and other public bodies in the implementation of the River Basin Management Plan, and supports local community and stakeholder involvement in managing our natural waters, for everyone’s benefit.

Environmental Protection Agency

The EPA is responsible for coordinating the monitoring, assessment and reporting on the status of our 4,842 water bodies, looking at trends and changes, determining which waterbodies are at risk and what could be causing this, and drafting environmental objectives for each.

Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Department is responsible for making sure that the right policies, regulations and resources are in place to implement the Water Framework Directive, and developing a River Basin Management Plan and Programme of Measures to protect and restore our waters.