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Lakes

Learn more about the lakes monitoring programme of the EPA.

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Estuaries and coastal waters

Learn more about the marine monitoring programme of the EPA.

Estuaries and coastal waters

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Catchment science and management

The EPA Water Programme works with others so we have the best understanding of the health of our waters.

Latest publications in Freshwater & Marine

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Water Quality in Ireland

2016 – 2021

This report sets out the latest assessment of the health of Ireland’s rivers, lakes, canals, groundwaters, transitional (estuaries) and coastal waters. The analysis is based on the assessment of over 4,000 surface water bodies and 514 groundwater bodies over the period 2016-2021.

Bathing Water Quality in Ireland 2020 cover
Bathing Water Quality in Ireland 2020

A report for the year 2020

The 2020 EPA Bathing Water report sets out bathing water quality at Ireland's beaches during the summer 2020 bathing water season.

Water Quality Summary Report 2016-2021 Cover
Water Quality in Ireland 2016 – 2021

Summary Report

This report provides summary information on the status of our rivers, lakes, estuaries, coastal waters (known collectively as surface waters) and groundwaters. It is based on information collected over a 6-year period from 2016 to 2021 under Ireland’s national water quality monitoring programme from over 4,000 surface water bodies and 514 groundwater bodies.

Water Quality Indicator Report 2022 Cover
Water Quality in 2022

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 2022

Latest News and Press Releases

in: Freshwater and Marine
EPA finds no significant improvement in the water quality of rivers and lakes

Date released: June 13, 2023

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has today published the report Water Quality in 2022 – An Indicators Report which provides an update on the water quality of Ireland’s rivers, lakes, estuaries, coastal, and groundwaters for 2022.

The majority of Ireland’s bathing waters have excellent or good water quality

Date released: May 11, 2023

The EPA has today published the Bathing Water Quality in Ireland report for 2022 which shows that water quality at the majority of Ireland’s bathing waters meets or exceeds the appropriate standards. 79% of bathing sites have 'Excellent’ water quality while 97% meet the minimum standard.

Water quality of our rivers, lakes, estuaries and coastal areas continues to decline, says EPA

Date released: October 13, 2022

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has today published the Water Quality in Ireland Report 2016-2021 which provides the latest assessment of the quality of Ireland’s rivers, lakes, estuaries, coastal and groundwaters.