Ireland’s next Water Action Plan is “the best opportunity we will have to turn the tide on water quality.” That’s the view of Minister of State Christopher O’Sullivan, speaking at the EPA’s 2026 Water Conference. His comments come as the EPA reports little overall improvement in water quality during 2025. Nutrient levels are still too high in a large share of our rivers, lakes, and groundwater.
Table of Contents
A Pattern of Lost Progress
Minister O’Sullivan acknowledged there have been “some pretty bad news stories” on water quality in recent months. He said that when it comes to the ecological status of our water, “we have so much to do.”
The EPA’s own data backs this up. Gains made in some areas are being cancelled out by declines elsewhere, leaving the national picture unchanged year on year. The minister pointed to this pattern as the key reason Ireland needs a real shift in approach for the next Water Action Plan.
Despite the setbacks, the minister highlighted reasons for optimism. He pointed to “champions” already working to improve water quality and said the developments and success stories seen so far can be built on to turn the tide.
Why the Nitrates Action Programme Matters Now
The sixth Nitrates Action Programme (NAP) came into effect on 1 January 2026 and runs until the end of 2028. Minister O’Sullivan said this programme “can gain successes” if measures are followed and properly tracked, with enforcement and farmer support as key conditions.
Ireland secured a three-year extension of its nitrates derogation in December 2025, allowing higher-stocked farms to continue operating above standard EU limits. That extension came with a condition attached: water quality that is good must stay stable, and water quality that isn’t good must improve. The next Water Action Plan, and the success of the NAP within it, will help determine whether Ireland can hold onto that derogation long-term.
Farm Inspections on the Rise
Local authorities inspected 4,315 farms last year under the Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) for Protection of Waters Regulations. This is a 66% jump on 2024 and reaches 96% of the EPA’s annual target of 4,500 inspections.
The minister said enforcement must follow, so that everyone has adequate measures in place. He pointed to targeted measures and working directly with landowners as the approach already showing results.
“Where we’re working with landowners, where we’re incentivising landowners to put in place measures, we’re seeing improvements in water quality,” he said. “That’s one of the big learnings.”
The government is also backing this with money. A €42 million investment in water quality initiatives for 2026 was announced earlier this year, a fourfold increase on the previous year’s allocation, aimed at scaling up farm-based and catchment-level measures.
Learning From the Last Plan
Ireland is now preparing the fourth cycle of the Water Action Plan. Minister O’Sullivan said this is a chance to learn from where the third plan fell short, as well as build on what worked.
“This is the best opportunity we will have to turn the tide on water quality,” he said.
What Farmers Want From the Next Water Action Plan
Dr. Triona McGrath of the National Water Forum outlined what farmers and farm advisors would like to see in the next plan. The forum, a national stakeholder body, gathers input from across the agricultural sector on water policy.
Dr. McGrath said the forum wants:
- More training for non-derogation farms, an area she says is currently a missed opportunity
- Aligned messaging from farm advisors across the board
- Support for the family farm model
- Measures linked to specific outcomes and pollutants, so farmers know exactly what each one is meant to achieve
She said non-derogation farmers, particularly those stocked above 130kg of nitrogen per hectare, need more guidance on nutrient balances and water-based nitrogen use efficiency.
Reaching Every Farmer Through BISS
The forum also wants a wider education campaign covering catchments, water quality, and how specific measures target specific problems. Dr. McGrath said the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) application process is the best way to reach almost every farmer in the country.
Every February, farmers receive a detailed map of their farm by post. The forum’s proposal: include a catchment map in the same envelope, showing local water quality issues and the measures needed to address them.
Why Monitoring Matters Now
Targeted action depends on good data. Without accurate, up-to-date water testing, it’s difficult to know which catchments need attention or whether measures already in place are working.
At Southern Scientific, we help farmers, local authorities, and agricultural advisors move from reactive crisis management to proactive protection. Our INAB-accredited, ISO 17025 certified laboratories deliver water testing and monitoring results you can rely on, helping you understand nutrient levels and track progress over time.
Find Out More About Our Water Testing and Monitoring Services Here.
