Environment « Thurles Information

Water Quality In Ireland Continues To Decline Overall.

At the current level of progress, Ireland will fail to meet the EU and national goal of restoring all waters to good or better status by 2027.
Excess nutrients from agriculture, urban wastewater and other human activities remains the biggest challenge, followed by changes to physical habitat conditions.
Just over half (52%) of our surface waters are in satisfactory ecological condition, which is a deterioration from the previous assessment for 2016-2021, where 54% of surface waterbodies met their water quality objectives.
There is evidence that nutrient levels are reducing in areas where actions are being targeted, which is very welcome. The scale and pace of implementation need to be increased.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has today published their flagship Water Quality in Ireland Report 2019-2024, which provides the latest, 3-yearly assessment of the quality of Ireland’s rivers, lakes, estuaries, coastal waters, canals and groundwaters. This assessment includes multiple water quality parameters that are monitored and assessed to give an integrated picture of the condition of our waters.
The report shows that, despite improvements in some areas, water quality in Ireland is not as good as it should be and is continuing to decline overall:

**River Suir, Thurles, Co. Tipperary**
*Pic: G. Willoughby.*

52% of rivers, lakes, estuaries and coastal waters are in a satisfactory ecological condition, which means in good or high ecological status. This is a decline since the 2016-2021 assessment when 54% of surface waters were satisfactory.
Transitional waters, including estuaries and coastal lagoons, are in the poorest condition of any waterbody type, with 70% in an unsatisfactory condition, up from 64% in the last assessment.
92% of groundwaters are in good status. Canals are also in relatively good condition with 87% achieving their water quality targets.

**Sewage Pipe flows into River Suir in Thurles Town Centre.**
*Pic: G. Willoughby.*

Commenting on the report, Dr Eimear Cotter, Director of the EPA’s Office of Evidence and Assessment, said: “Our rivers, lakes and estuaries are the lifeblood of our landscape and support our ecosystems, and our health and wellbeing. But they are struggling. They do not have the resilience to cope with the challenges they face, now and in the future. Surface water quality overall has been in decline since before the first of these assessments was carried out by the EPA in the late 2000s.
It is very disappointing to report that water quality is not improving despite the many actions that are underway, across all sectors. It’s clear the scale and pace of implementation needs to be increased and sustained.”
The main pressures impacting on water quality are excess nutrients coming mainly from agriculture, urban wastewater discharges, and damage to the physical condition of water habitats from activities such as land and river drainage, forestry and urban development.
The report highlights that there have been improvements in phosphorus levels in our surface waters in areas prioritised for action where the right measures are implemented in the right places to target interventions. There were also reductions in nitrogen levels in many river monitoring sites in recent years, which is welcome. Further reductions will be needed to reach levels that will support healthy ecosystems.

Dr Jenny Deakin, EPA Programme Manager added: “The decreases in phosphorus levels in areas prioritised for action are very welcome. While further reductions will be needed as well as reduction in nitrate levels, this report shines a light on the progress that can be made when actions are targeted. It is essential that better information is collected by all stakeholders, on when and where the actions are being implemented on the ground, to provide better information on how the progress can be accelerated.”
Information about local water quality and the pressures impacting it is available at www.catchments.ie

Thurles Blisters Burst After Just 6 Weeks.

Blister tactile paving, installed in early September of this year; same, as part of the long awaited and current upgrading at the junction at Irerrin Road and Kickham Street in Thurles, are already disintegrating.

**New blister style tactile paving & kerbing shows signs of physical breakdown just 6 weeks after installation**.

This paving is designed especially for visually impaired pedestrians (and those with the more modern affliction of staring intently at their mobile phone screens, surfing Google), while out walking.

Seriously, same should indicate controlled and uncontrolled street crossings, thus warning pedestrians that the pavement is about to end and the road begins.

The paving on this junction indicates an uncontrolled crossing and is earth buff (light earth brown) in colour, same designed colour to provide an additional visual cue for those with low vision.

Sadly, as in this case, engineers in their design, failed to understand that same are not suitable for busy street corners or for parking areas where 18 wheeler trucks halt, forced to park on a narrow street in an effort to off-load their merchandise.

Ah, sure it’s only another €1,000 or so of taxpayers money to spend to correct; a small price to pay for engineering stupidity.

Raw Sewage Discharges-Wastewater Plants Poorly Managed.

Wastewater discharged from 59 per cent of Ireland’s existing treatment plants failed to consistently meet standards set in EPA licences to prevent pollution.
Nearly half of these failures are due to poor operational management at existing treatment plants.
Delays by Uisce Éireann in delivering improved infrastructure are prolonging risks to water quality.
EPA will continue to take enforcement action to bring existing wastewater treatment plants up to standard.

The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Urban Wastewater Treatment in 2024 report, released today, shows that investment at priority areas highlighted by the EPA is delivering improvements with the volume of raw sewage discharged daily halving since early 2024.

However, wastewater discharges continue to harm water quality in rivers, estuaries, lakes and coastal waters.

**Effluent continues to flow into the River Suir in Thurles Town centre**.
*Pic: G. Willoughby*

EPA licences set out the treatment standards necessary to prevent pollution and protect the environment. EPA assessment of wastewater discharges in this report highlights that over half (59%) of licensed treatment plants fail to consistently meet these standards. Failures range from occasional, short-term breaches to persistent discharges of poorly treated sewage. The main causes are inadequate infrastructure and poor operation and maintenance of treatment plants.

Operation and maintenance issues can and must be resolved as a matter of urgency. Addressing infrastructural deficits is a longer-term challenge that requires substantial and sustained investment. As it will take many years to complete all infrastructural upgrades, Uisce Éireann must give priority to the areas where improvements are most needed and will bring the greatest benefits. The EPA has identified 78 priority areas for improvements. Uisce Éireann has not yet started the works needed at half of these.

**Effluent continues to flow into the River Suir in Thurlrs Town centre**.
*Pic: G. Willoughby*

Launching the report, Mr Pat Byrne, Director of the EPA’s Office of Radiation Protection and Environmental Monitoring said: “Targeting improvements at priority areas identified by the EPA is delivering environmental benefits. The new treatment plants built to stop discharges of raw sewage from areas such as Arklow and Kilrush are clear examples of this progress. However, delays in designing and delivering infrastructural upgrades required at many more areas are prolonging negative impacts on water quality and the wider environment. Uisce Éireann must accelerate the pace of delivery of essential upgrades at priority areas to ensure cleaner rivers, estuaries, lakes and coastal waters and support a healthier environment for all.”

Treatment at fourteen large towns and cities failed to meet basic, European wide standards set in the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. Six of these met the standards in 2023, highlighting the need for Uisce Éireann to take action to prevent previously compliant treatment plants slipping into non-compliance.

Regarding the operation and maintenance of treatment plants, Mr Noel Byrne, EPA Programme Manager, said: “Too many wastewater treatment plants are failing to meet licence standards due to poor management and maintenance practices. This is simply not good enough. When treatment plants break down or are not managed properly, our environment pays the price. The EPA has prosecuted Uisce Éireann on 28 occasions for failing to treat wastewater properly. Poor operational performance will not be tolerated by the EPA. Uisce Éireann must take immediate action to improve the operation and management of treatment plants and implement effective maintenance programmes to prevent equipment breakdowns.”

The Urban Wastewater Treatment in 2024 report and the list of priority areas – including details of the environmental issues at each location and Uisce Éireann’s plans to address them – are available on the EPA website.

Deeply Saddened By Passing Of Conservationist Dr Jane Goodall, DBE.

We are deeply saddened to share the news that Dr Jane Goodall, DBE (1934–2025), has passed away at the age of 91. Her groundbreaking research on chimpanzees forever changed science, while her voice for conservation, climate action, and youth empowerment has inspired millions worldwide. Her legacy endures through the Jane Goodall Institute and Roots & Shoots.

The Jane Goodall Institute, founded in 1977, in announcing her passing yesterday stated “Dr Goodall’s discoveries as an ethologist revolutionized science, became a tireless advocate for the protection and restoration of our natural world.”

Dr Goodall, an extraordinary scientist, conservationist, and humanitarian, sadly died yesterday, October 1st 2025, at the age of 91 years.
Her death, due to natural causes, occurred while she was in California, U.S., participating in a speaking tour. Her passing now marks the close of a life that enriched science, inspired millions, and transformed how humanity understands and cares for the natural world.

A Legacy Beyond Measure.

Born on April 3rd 1934, in London, England, Dr Jane Goodall’s lifelong love of animals and wild places led her to Tanzania in 1960, where she established the world’s longest-running field study of chimpanzees at Gombe National Park. Over decades, her immersive and empathetic approach yielded startling discoveries: chimpanzees make and use tools, exhibit intricate social relationships, and display emotional complexity. Her work broke down the long-held wall between “human” and “animal” and reframed ethology itself.

In 1977 she founded the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI), an international organization that continues field research, supports conservation projects, and champions community-based sustainable practices across Africa and beyond. In 1991 she launched Roots & Shoots, a global youth-oriented environmental and humanitarian program, active now in many dozens of countries.

Throughout her life, Dr Goodall was a tireless advocate, not only for chimpanzees but for the entire planet. Appointed UN Messenger of Peace in 2002, she addressed issues ranging from habitat destruction and climate change to animal welfare and youth empowerment. Even in her later years, she traveled extensively, gave talks, and used new media (such as her “Hopecast” podcast) to share a message of hope and urgent action.

Her work was widely recognized: she was made a Dame Commander of the British Empire (DBE), received the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2025), the Templeton Prize (2021), and numerous other honours.

Her spirit lives on in the institutions she built, the young people she inspired, and the planet she fought to protect. JGI and Roots & Shoots will continue her work, safeguarding ecosystems, enabling local communities to lead, and cultivating hope in future generations.

In this time of mourning, we invite all who hold Jane’s ideals dear to renew our joint commitment: that curiosity, empathy, and action can yet transform the future of life on Earth.

Dr Goodall is survived by her son Hugo van Lawick and three grandchildren.

In ár gcroíthe go deo.

Safety Alert

🚨 Safety Alert – Batteries + Recycle bins = 🔥 Fire danger!

It should be noted that when batteries (including those in vapes, e-cigs & rechargeable devices) end up in household or business bins, they can ignite and cause fires in collection trucks, storage facilities and even in your own home.
⚠️ This puts lives at risk, damages equipment and disrupts waste services.
✅ Do the safe thing:
❌ Never put batteries, vapes or electricals in your bins.
🔋 Store batteries separately.
📍 Use drop-off points for safe disposal.
Most Supermarkets have battery disposal units.
✅ So “Be a recycling hero 💚♻️”

Keep our community safe. ♻️💚