Ulster Wildlife has called for “urgent action” after a new report stated that European targets for improving water quality in Northern Ireland’s rivers and lakes by 2027 will not be met.
The study, published today (Monday, March 25) by the Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO), noted that less than one third of Northern Ireland’s rivers had good ecological status, representing no improvement since 2015.
The report found that only 14% of lakes in Northern Ireland were classified as having good ecological status in 2021, down from around 24% in 2015.
This is despite 88% of people in Northern Ireland, England and Wales agreeing freshwater habitats are a “national treasure” and want more done to protect them as part of a 2021 YouGov poll.
The auditors highlighted the challenges posed by agricultural activities and wastewater treatment on improving water quality.
Water quality
Ulster Wildlife is calling for the Northern Ireland Executive to “seriously rethink and reprioritise options for the way forward”.
Along with prioritising funding for wastewater treatment and updating sewage infrastructure, the charity said that there must be “climate-proofing wastewater treatment works”.
Data from Northern Ireland Water shows that over 17 million tonnes of human waste is discharged each year into rivers and water bodies across Northern Ireland, the majority discharging into Belfast Lough.
Ulster Wildlife said that greater funding and initiatives are needed to tackle agricultural pollution.
“Changes to farming practices to prevent agricultural pollution also needs to be a priority, with a quarter of water pollution incidents linked to agriculture,” it said.
The charity said that Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) new Farming with Nature programme must include measures for addressing pollution prevention on a catchment-based approach.
Ulster Wildlife added that a trusted independent source of help and advice must be provided for farmers on pollution.
“The majority of farmers want to do the right thing and would benefit from impartial advice from non-statutory bodies, where problems can be identified and dealt with effectively,” it said.
Wake-up call
Sir David Sterling, vice chair of Ulster Wildlife charity, said that today’s report should service as “an urgent wake-up call” to the Northern Ireland Executive.
“Healthy waterways are the foundation for all life and are considered a national treasure by the public.
“Yet, for too long we have neglected our rivers and lakes, with human health, wildlife and economic prosperity suffering as a result.
“The shocking scenes from Lough Neagh last summer are a testament to this,” he said.
Sterling said a long-term investment strategy is needed to bring Northern Ireland waterways “back from the brink of collapse”.
“Updating our ageing sewage infrastructure system alongside greater funding to tackle agricultural pollution must be top priorities.
“As the impacts of climate change deepen and extreme weather events become more frequent, shifting climate baselines need to be considered and integrated with future plans,” he added.
