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Water Quality Legislation

There are many legislative provisions in place in the area of water quality that provide people charged with the protection and management of water resources, with the legal backup to carry out these duties.

Local Government (Water Pollution) Act 1977 and Amendment Act 1990
(Available at www.irishstatutebook.ie)

This is the principal legal framework relating to Water Pollution. These Acts make provision for the protection of watercourses by: prohibiting the entry of polluting matter to waters, outlining statutory requirements relating to the licensing of discharges to waters and sewers, outlining water quality standards and water quality management plans, outlining nutrient management plans and agricultural bye-laws and detailing civil liability relating to water pollution.

Water Framework Directive
This is the principal piece of legislation currently relating to the protection of waters.

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) 2000/60/EC ‘establishing a framework for community action in the field of water policy’ became effective from 22nd December 2000 and was transposed into Irish Law by 2003. This Directive is considered an umbrella Directive as it brings together all existing Directives and relevant legislation into one comprehensive piece. The Directive aims at maintaining and improving the aquatic environment in the European Community. It is considered the most significant EU enactment on water management to date. The overall objective of the Directive is to prevent deterioration in the status of any waters and achieve at least ‘good status’ by 2015. Further information is available at www.wfdireland.ie.