EPA report reveals algae-choked bays and estuaries in ‘poor’ condition in Louth

Two transitional water bodies in Louth have been classed as being of poor ecological status according to a new report released by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

A transitional water body is a coastal area where freshwater from rivers mixes with saltwater from the sea.

The Environmental Protection Agency's latest Water Quality In Ireland report from 2019-2024 noted the presence of Phytoplankton (a type of algae) in the Inner Dundalk Bay and Castletown Estuary which recorded the second highest level of algae growth of all bodies tested at 155%. 

The Boyne Estuary was also classed as poor with ‘fish’ given as the main reason for determining the status. 

Mayo and Wicklow had the highest percentage (>70%) of monitored river water bodies at high or good ecological status while Kildare, Louth and Meath have the lowest percentage (≤20%) 

The report shows that, despite improvements in some areas, water quality in Ireland is not as good as it should be and is continuing to decline overall:

• 52 per cent of rivers, lakes, estuaries and coastal waters are in a satisfactory ecological condition, which means in good or high ecological status. This is a decline since the 2016-2021 assessment when 54 per cent of surface waters were satisfactory.
• Transitional waters, including estuaries and coastal lagoons, are in the poorest condition of any waterbody type, with 70 per cent in an unsatisfactory condition, up from 64 per cent in the last assessment.
• 92 per cent of groundwaters are in good status. Canals are also in relatively good condition with 87 per cent achieving their water quality targets.

Commenting on the report, Dr Eimear Cotter, Director of the EPA’s Office of Evidence and Assessment, said:

Read Next: Four men given suspended sentences for theft of diesel in Louth

“Our rivers, lakes and estuaries are the lifeblood of our landscape and support our ecosystems, and our health and wellbeing. But they are struggling. They do not have the resilience to cope with the challenges they face, now and in the future. Surface water quality overall has been in decline since before the first of these assessments was carried out by the EPA in the late 2000s.

“It is very disappointing to report that water quality is not improving despite the many actions that are underway, across all sectors. It’s clear the scale and pace of implementation needs to be increased and sustained.”

The main pressures impacting on water quality are excess nutrients coming mainly from agriculture, urban wastewater discharges, and damage to the physical condition of water habitats from activities such as land and river drainage, forestry and urban development.