Here are a few thoughts and comments on environmental protection from different perspectives. We need to accept the seemingly obvious fact that a toxic environment can make people sick and that no amount of medical intervention can protect us. The health care community must become a powerful political lobby for environmental policy and legislation. – Andrew...

Directive 91/676/EEC on the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources, relates to management of farm wastes and run off to protect surface water and groundwater. The directive is implemented in Ireland by S.I. No. 101/2009  – European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice For Protection of Waters) Regulations 2009 which revoke, and re-enact with amendments,...

The EPA has launched a new iPhone app to encourage people to report environmental pollution. You can download the App now from the iTunes App Store (search iTunes for: ‘See it Say it’) or visit http://goo.gl/gOJMa or scan the QR code here. Then, if you spot  environmental pollution or dumping, simpl open the App, take a...

In Ireland, in cases where Integrated Pollution Prevention Control (IPPC) is not applicable, the control of water pollution is exercised through the Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts 1977-1990. City and County councils are the licensing authorities A discharge of wastewater (effluent) to waters (river, stream, lake, estuary etc. and groundwater) or to a municipal sewer...

Sustainable options are available for businesses to become more efficient, economically viable and compliant with legal requirements. ECOS enables all types of businesses to sustainably comply with legal requirements and address their economic and environmental concerns. ✓         Reduce the input of materials and energy ✓         Reuse or sympathetically dispose/treat of wastes ✓         Employ the...

The Nitrates Directive aims to reduce and prevent water pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources, with the primary emphasis on the management of livestock manures and other fertilisers.  The main provisions of this directive are: To monitor and identify polluted waters or water liable to pollution from agricultural nitrates To promote the code of...

Business can save money through informed pollution prevention. Prevention is more efficient and economically viable than non-compliance with legal requirements. ECOS helps all types of businesses to cost effectively prevent pollution and comply with legal requirements. ✓         Reduce the input of materials and energy ✓         Minimize the amount of waste for treatment and disposal ✓        ...

Eutrophication is the increase in chemical nutrients in an ecosystem which results in excessive plant growth and decay. Whereas nutrients are a requirement in order for aquatic plants and animals to grow, unnaturally high levels of nutrients cause excessive growth. When the plants die, they are decomposed by micro-organisms including bacteria which consume oxygen dissolved...

Groundwater is the water that trickles through the soil and into underlying rocks during the Water Cycle. Once in the bedrock the water moves slowly through and is stored in the pores or cracks in the rock.  If enough water is stored in this way in a bedrock deposit, it is referred to as an aquifer. Groundwater seeps up...

The WFD was created in December 2000 and implemented in 2003 with the aim of improving the quality of our water environment. Its purpose is also to integrate existing European directives into the new legislation. The directive requires each Member State to implement changes to the management of water bodies, taking account of all aspects of the...