2003 IRISH SCIENTIST YEAR BOOK

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The Environmental Protection Agency
Margaret Keegan
Towards Setting Guideline Values for the Protection of Groundwater in Ireland - Interim Report

Artesian view - photo courtesy of the Environment Agency, Chris Train and Rob Ward

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) document Towards Setting Guideline Values for the Protection of Groundwater in Ireland - Interim Report provides useful information to all Agencies and other bodies involved in the assessment of groundwater quality in Ireland by providing a consistent approach to conducting groundwater quality assessments. It also provides a useful framework for groundwater status assessment for the River Basin Management System projects currently being established around the country.

The document has three main practical elements to it:

  • ��A characterisation list for groundwater is proposed. This list consists of a 'Core Group' of parameters, mainly naturally occurring substances and physico-chemical parameters, and a 'Site-Specific Group' of parameters, mainly synthetic substances that would not normally be found in groundwater.

  • ��A list of interim guideline values (IGVs) for groundwater is proposed. The values are to be used to assist with the characterisation of groundwater bodies and to establish the need for additional investigations or further actions in the event of the guideline values being exceeded.

  • ��A methodology for the assessment of groundwater chemical status and assigning either 'good' or 'poor' groundwater status to a groundwater body is proposed. This will provide a consistent basis for assessing groundwater status throughout the country.

The setting of guideline values or 'criteria' for groundwater is currently the subject of debate in Europe. Under the auspices of the Water Framework Directive, an Expert Advisory Forum was established in October 2001 to develop a 'daughter' Directive on groundwater, which will include criteria for measuring 'good' groundwater chemical status. The Interim Guideline Values presented in the EPA report may therefore require revision following the adoption of the new Groundwater Directive, and it is therefore considered to be an interim report, based on the best available information.

Copies are available on the EPA website ( www.epa.ie ) or can be purchased from the Publications Office, McCumiskey House, Richview, Clonskeagh Road, Dublin 14.

Contact: [email protected]