Two key steps in Ireland’s on-going implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) have been announced. A consultation document on the Timetable and Work Programme for the development of the 2nd cycle of River Basin Management Plans. New Regulations have also been introduced which re-assign functional responsibility for WFD implementation to local authorities, to the Environmental Protection...

A Water Stewardship Standard setting out how to use and manage water responsibly has been launched by an alliance of 29 organisations including businesses, NGOs and parts of the UN. The Water Stewardship Standard 1.0 is based around the principles of good water governance, and applies to all water types, including freshwater, drinking water, effluent and snow:...

The good news is that water pollution caused by nitrates has decreased in Europe over the past two decades.  However, agricultural pressures are still putting water resources under strain.  The latest Report on the implementation of the Nitrates Directive reveals that nitrates concentrations are slightly decreasing in both surface and groundwater and sustainable agricultural practices...

In our experience, water is one of the most expensive resources to businesses to which they pay the least attention. Quite often the water bill is only received or reviewed 1 – 2 times per annum and signed off as “just one of those things we have to pay”. ECOS have worked with many businesses...

Whether your business is a small restaurant or a large multinational manufacturing industry,if it generates a wastewater which is discharged either to a sewer or a receiving water, a licence is required with very few exceptions. Time and time again we come across businesses have either had difficulties because they have not obtained a licence...

The Commission has launched a Blueprint to Safeguard Europe’s Water Resources, a strategy for ensuring that enough good quality water is available to meet the future needs of people, the economy and the environment. To achieve the already existing Water Framework Directive objective of good water status by 2015, the Water Blueprint sets out a...

Environmental related legislation documents and weblinks are available on from Envirocentre including: Water Pollution Control as it affects Industry Waste Legislation Environmental Impact Assessment Strategic Environmental Assessment Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Ambient Air Quality Legislation Control of Noise Emissions Control of Major Accident Hazards involving Dangerous Substances Regulations (CoMAH) Energy using Products Directive Planning...

2008/105/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on environmental quality standards in the field of water policy, amending and subsequently repealing Council Directives 82/176/EEC, 83/513/EEC, 84/156/EEC, 84/491/EEC, 86/280/EEC and amending Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council The directive is implemented by S.I. No. 272/2009 – European Communities Environmental...

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...

2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy, known as the Water Framework Directive. The Directive is implemented by S.I. 722/2003 European Communities (Water Policy) Regulations 2003 The directive relates to planning for protection and improvement of all waters, including surface...