River Boyne Water Quality Management Plan - EPA

River Boynr Wnlrr Quality Manrgcmrnl Planthe nature of the effluent load, low river flow (95 percentile), background water quality andcompliance with the stated water quality objectives5. In view of the tendency to eutrophication in many of the lakes and certain river reaches on theBoyne system, specific nutrient budgets to be established, particularly in terms of phosphates,based on individual studies, having regard to residence time, critical phosphorusconcentrations, mean water depth and current trophic status. Interim standards for phosphatesfor phosphates in rivers and lakes to be in accordance with Tables 6.1 and 6.3. Policies tobe developed to limit overall nutrient load from all sources (agriculture,. domestic andindustrial effluent discharges and natural background loads)6. Policies to limit adverse impact of peat silt on river water quality to be implemented inconnection with existing and new peat extractions7. An integrated monitoring programme to be implemented for the catchment, directed by theSteering Committee, to include flow monitoring, biological, physico-chemical and trophicstatus determination at satisfactory frequencies having regard to beneficial uses and pressures8. A G.I.S. based data management system to be implemented for handling, updating andreporting on water quality and catchment data relevant to the plan area. It should havefacilities for interpretation and trending of data to assist catrgment management.6.3 Water Qurrlity-Standards. .,,-byEnvironmental quality standards to be adopted in.$R$"plan are based on water quality criterianecessary to protect the beneficial uxs. Tl~ere aF3&&ssed in tenns of allowable concentrations ofspecific chemicals in water which protect aqu&~Vife or human health. The criteria are based oncurrent available information on the effects ~p'&utants.ico'-.yThe standards will require to be reviewed$% year intervals to account for any new information andnew Directives and Standards. A prap';sed E.U. Directive on the ecological quality of water isanticipated in the next few years tKgplace the existing legislation. It will concern the adoption ofmeasures in each member state for the control of pollution of surface waters from point sources,sources of diffuse pollution and other factors affecting surface water quality. It is anticipated that thisDirective will cover the following:-For inspection purposes only.Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.* All surface waters, notjzlst those designated in respect ofparticular activitiesA wide range oj toxic or harmful chemical substances will be covered instead of selectiveindicative substancesWater quality will be monitored and classified in terms of biological as well as physicochemicalparametersStandardised monitoring and classificatiot~ would be introduced for cotnparability across thecommzrniryInventories of discharges and of drprse sozlrces ofpollutiot~ will be reqzriredEPA Export 26-07-2013:17:27:02