The EPA's Monitoring and Assessment Role

The EPA monitors environmental pollutants and radiation to assess the impact on the environment and human health. Monitoring is undertaken across a broad range of thematic areas to provide a reliable and meaningful assessment of our environment. Information is made available to the public, stakeholders and policymakers to help them make informed decisions. 

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Environment and You

Check out what's happening, what's being done and the action you can take to improve the quality of your environment.

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Waste

Waste under the topic of Monitoring and Assessment

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Air

Air under the topic of Monitoring and Assessment

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Bathing waters

How water quality is monitored and assessed at our designated bathing waters to keep swimmers safe and healthy.

Latest Publications in Monitoring & Assessment

Decorative image for link to Climate Change's Four Irelands Wave 2 Report 2
Climate Change's Four Irelands: Wave 2, Report 2

This report provides an updated overview of the Irish public’s beliefs, attitudes, policy preferences and behaviours regarding climate change in the second wave of the Climate Change in the Irish Mind study.

Provisional GHG Report 1990-2023 Front Cover
Ireland's Provisional Greenhouse Gas Emissions 1990-2023

The EPA has produced provisional estimates of greenhouse gas emissions for the time period 1990-2023. This report provides early insight into the annual greenhouse gas emissions in advance of final data being submitted to the EU and UN in 2025.

Irelands Climate Change Assessment Report Synthesis 300X421
Ireland’s Climate Change Assessment Synthesis Report

The Synthesis Report acts as a concise summary of the most important science on climate change presented in the underlying volumes. Selected findings that are deemed of the highest policy and societal relevance from each underlying volume are integrated into the report. The synthesis report highlights the underlying volumes details, where the interested reader can discover further information.

Hydrology Bulletin Cover- August 2024
Hydrology summary bulletin - August 2024

Hydrology Summary Bulletin for August 2024 outlining the flows in rivers, rainfall, lake levels, turlough levels, groundwater levels and spring outflows of over 300 stations across Ireland.

WQ Indicator report cover 2023
Water Quality in 2023

An Indicators Report

This report provides an update on the quality of water in Ireland's rivers, lakes, transitional and coastal waters and groundwater using information collected in 2023.

Latest News

in: Freshwater and Marine
EPA publishes full monitoring network results of nitrogen and phosphorus levels in Irish waters for 2024

Date released: July 02, 2025

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has today published the full monitoring network results of the levels of nitrogen and phosphorus in Irish waters in 2024.

High standards achieved for Bathing Water quality in 2024, but challenges remain during heavy rainfall

Date released: May 07, 2025

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has today published the Bathing Water Quality in Ireland report for 2024 which shows that water quality at most of Ireland’s bathing waters was of a high standard.

There has been a welcome reduction in nitrogen levels in rivers in 2024, says EPA

Date released: March 18, 2025

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has today published early insights into nitrogen levels in rivers in 2024. The Early Insights Nitrogen Indicator 2024 has been developed to provide more timely information on nitrogen levels and is based on monitoring data at 20 major and representative rivers.

FAQs on monitoring & assessment

in: Freshwater and Marine

A collection of frequently asked questions about monitoring and assessment to assist you with your queries.

popular FAQs about freshwater & marine

  • My application on EDEN has a status as 'screening'. What does this mean, and how long does the screening stage typically take?

    Abstractions between 25 and 1,999 cubic metres /day inclusive require assessment(s) to determine if a licence is required.   Until assessment(s) have been completed, the status of the application on EDEN will be “screening”.

     

    For a proposed new abstraction between 25 and 1,999 cubic metres /day inclusive or any increase to an existing abstraction such that revised abstraction volume will be in the range of 25 – 1,999m3/day, assessment(s) to determine if a licence is required usually take up to 2 months. This assessment period may be longer in certain circumstances. Such new or increased abstractions cannot commence until authorised to do so.

  • My application on EDEN has a status as 'screening'. What does this mean, and how long does the screening stage typically take?

    Abstractions between 25 and 1,999 cubic metres /day inclusive require assessment(s) to determine if a licence is required.   Until assessment(s) have been completed, the status of the application on EDEN will be “screening”.

     

    For a proposed new abstraction between 25 and 1,999 cubic metres /day inclusive or any increase to an existing abstraction such that revised abstraction volume will be in the range of 25 – 1,999m3/day, assessment(s) to determine if a licence is required usually take up to 2 months. This assessment period may be longer in certain circumstances. Such new or increased abstractions cannot commence until authorised to do so.

  • Where can I find information on water quality for my local river or lake?

    Catchments.ie shares science and stories about water quality in Ireland. This includes water quality data for all waterbodies in Ireland, the EPA Water Map and 46 catchment assessments.

    You can also use the EPA's My Local Environment Map to show you what is near you by entering your Eircode.

     

  • I want to help look after my local river or lake. What should I do?

    The Local Authority Waters Progamme has Community Water Officers all around the country who work with local people to build awareness, help build group capacity, support training and citizen science initiatives and strengthen links between public bodies, funders and communities who are looking after their rivers, lakes and other waters.

    You can find contact details for your local Community Water Officer on the LA Waters Programme website.

  • To whom do I report pollution such as: fish kill; forest fire; oil spillage?

    Pollution incidents should be reported in the first instance to the local authority in whose area the incident occurred as they can respond rapidly. The Local Authority will contact the Environmental Protection Agency if an EPA licensed activity is concerned.  

    If you know it is an EPA licensed activity you should contact the EPA directly as well as the Local Authority.  

    This link has the full details about how to Make an Environmental Complaint

    Fish kills: To report fish kills, members of the public are encouraged to call Inland Fisheries Ireland’s confidential hotline number on 0818 34 74 24, which is open 24 hours a day.

    Forest Fire: If you need to report a forest fire please dial 999 and ask for Fire Services. You will be put through to one of the national call centres who will record the necessary details.