PFAS have earned the name “forever chemicals” because standard water treatment does not break them down. For decades, the best available option was to capture PFAS and store or bury them. That is starting to change. A wave of new PFAS destruction technologies now aims to destroy PFAS molecules instead of

A supersized El Niño is set to bring a wetter, milder autumn to Ireland, and the risk does not stop at the weather forecast. The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) says El Niño will strengthen into a very strong event over the coming months, with an almost certain chance that it

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland has issued a sesame seed recall covering more than 40 products after Salmonella was found in batches sold by Dunnes Stores, SuperValu and Gem Pack. The recall, issued on 8 August 2026, covers loose salads, prepacked sandwiches and wraps, and raw sesame seeds sold

Most Irish farmers are feeding silage to their herds this winter without knowing what’s actually in it. In last year’s Teagasc Fodder Survey, only 30% of farmers said they intended to test the quality of their silage. That’s a costly blind spot. Poor-quality silage silently drains milk yields, weight gain,

Thousands of people in Ireland are drinking water that no one is checking. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published its Drinking Water Quality in Private Group Schemes and Small Private Supplies 2025 report, and the findings are stark. More than 60,000 people rely on small private water supplies. These

Diesel has been leaking into the River Liffey near the Samuel Beckett Bridge since at least early 2025. The source is an underground pipe connected to an Irish Rail diesel storage facility that fuels trains at Connolly Station. The leak was discovered in March 2025 and, 14 months later, has

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.

Ireland’s water quality failed to improve in 2025. The latest EPA water quality report shows nutrient pollution still affects a large share of our rivers, lakes, estuaries, and groundwater. Phosphorus and nitrate levels remain too high in many areas, and the agency says action must speed up. Table of Contents

Pharmaceutical manufacturers in Ireland operate under some of the most demanding environmental compliance obligations in any sector. Wastewater discharges, solvent handling, API emissions, licence renewals, and incoming water quality all require documented, accurate analytical data.  This article sets out the water testing services Southern Scientific provides to pharmaceutical facilities, what

Wastewater treatment plants play a vital role in protecting rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. Water must go through multiple stages designed to remove harmful wastewater contaminants. These stages make sure it’s safe before being released. But, not every wastewater contaminant is easy to remove. Some chemicals are very stable, present

A major Northern Irish water source is fuelling an environmental and public health emergency. Recent water testing has identified genes linked to antibiotic resistance (AMR) in Lough Neagh. Lough Neagh is the UK’s largest freshwater lake, which supplies drinking water to around 40% of Northern Ireland. The findings highlight the rapid spread

If your source water monitoring programme hasn’t been reviewed since the Drinking Water Directive transposition, it may not meet what auditors expect to see in 2026. Three regulatory developments have changed the baseline for what a compliant programme looks like. If you already have monitoring in place, its essential to

After decades on the brink of extinction, the Irish pine marten, our most elusive forest predator is re-establishing itself in its native habitats. Alongside its resurgence, the “tree cat” is reviving our ecosystems and serving as a guardian for the native red squirrels.  How did the Irish pine marten bounce

Farmers remain under pressure to meet new emission targets and environmental regulations. Motivated by this, researchers are developing innovative ways to reduce the impact agriculture has on the environment. Traditionally, farmers have used calcium carbonate, also known as lime, to control soil pH. But, this could be set to change.

Fossil fuels remain the largest contributor to global air pollution. As we know, the releasing of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere is a major contributor to climate change and degrading air quality.  Our emissions continue to outpace natural carbon sinks. The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report warns

Irish renewable energy sources reduced the cost of generating electricity in Ireland by more than €1.5 billion in 2024. This figure comes from a new report commissioned by Wind Energy Ireland assessing the economic impact of Ireland’s renewable energy sources.  The report highlights how wind and solar not only cut costs, but

The Irish hedgehog is one of the country’s most recognisable mammals and a familiar sight in gardens, parks, and hedgerows. Yet across Europe the species is experiencing serious population declines, raising concern among researchers and conservationists. In Ireland, new initiatives and nationwide surveys are beginning to shed light on how

Trace amounts of pharmaceuticals are being detected in rivers across Europe. Scientists have detected antibiotics, antidepressants, hormones, and painkillers. Water Europe has identified pharmaceutical wastewater as a major source of this pollution. These substances are known as micropollutants because they occur at very low concentrations. But even small amounts they

The use of fossil fuels in Ireland has hit a critical point. The Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC) has warned that Ireland is currently struggling to meet its national and international promises. Recent reports from the CCAC show that Ireland is facing a significant climate debt. Between financial investments in

Early insights into the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) annual assessment of Irish rivers predict disappointing results for 2025. After encouraging signs in 2024, the latest figures suggest a reversal in 2025. Nitrogen concentrations increased by 16% in the first half of 2025 compared with the same six-month period in 2024.