Water Legislation

Local Government (Water Pollution) Act 1977 and Amendment Act 1990

This is the principal legal framework relating to Water Pollution.

These Acts make provision for the protection of watercourses by:

Prohibiting the entry of polluting matter to waters,
Outlining statutory requirements relating to the licensing of discharges to waters and sewers,
Outlining water quality standards and water quality management plans,
Outlining nutrient management plans and agricultural bye-laws
Detailing civil liability relating to water pollution.

Water Framework Directive

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) 2000/60/EC became effective from 22nd December 2000 and was transposed into Irish Law by 2003.

This Directive is considered an umbrella Directive as it brings together all existing Directives and relevant legislation into one comprehensive piece.

The overall objective of the Directive is to prevent deterioration in the status of any waters and achieve at least ‘good status’ by 2015.

It is considered the most significant EU enactment on water management to date. Further information is available at www.wfdireland.ie

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European Communities (Quality of Bathing Waters) Regulations, 1988

The Environment Section of the City Council monitors the Bath Waters within the Galway City region.

Galway City Council, City Hall, College Road, Galway.
Open: 9am - 4pm. Phone +353 91 536400 Fax: +353 91 567493 Email: customerservice@galwaycity.ie