EPA data on the 98 waterbodies impacted by pollution from peatland extraction activities in Ireland
Updated: March 2022
Peatland Pollution Data
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
EPA WFD Significant Pressures Data (Update)
The ‘WFD Significant Pressures’ spreadsheet has been updated (https://gis.epa.ie/GetData/Download).
This data is from March 2022.
It contains pressures as used for the Draft RBMP which is currently out for consultation.
Fields have been added to aid the selection criteria.
All waterbody types are included.
Note: an additional field has been added that identifies whether an Extractive Industry Pressure is associated with Peat, Mines and Quarries or both.
Please note that there is ongoing work to align the data displayed on EPA Maps (https://gis.epa.ie/EPAMaps/) with the criteria used to populate this download.
However, these downloads reflect a point in time whereas EPA Maps will display the current situation.
Section 63 Requests
“Under the AIE Regs to request a list of all EPA requests made to local authorities under Section 63 of the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992 for 2020, 2021 and 2022 to date.”
Under the Act these requests are made where a local authority has failed to perform a statutory function of that authority in relation to environmental protection, or has performed that function in an unsatisfactory manner
AIE Request: GIS data for historic landfill boundaries (otherwise known as the Unregulated Waste Disposal Sites Register)
AIE 04/22
Mapping data was not transferred from EPA to NWCPO
NWCPO are now the competent authority for register of historic landfills / unregulated waste disposal sites in Ireland
Number of records does not match number of records forwarded via EPA (272 records, vs 494 on EPA Register)
Sample data
AIE Request: OEE Waste Crime Project Sites
Under the AIE Regs to request the following dataset OEE Waste Crime Project Sites
Resource identifier is AM.IE.EPA.WST_IllegalWasteSites
This is a points dataset of locations logged in Excel by Local Authorities in the OEE waste crime project. The Excel, held by OEE, has all the locations logged by LA’s.
Data refused:
Site Location address
Location
Status of Enforcement Action
Shp file (GIS mapping data)
Refusal to release mapping data based on:
The factors in favour of withholding this information are:
• Right to privacy
• Right to privacy of third parties
• Public Interest in protecting the ability of public bodies to carry out their functions and to be able to communicate effectively.
Requested review 25/5/22
Download the data here:
Sample data
AIE Request: mapping national septic tank inspections
Under the AIE Regs to request the following dataset of geographic locations of national septic tank inspections
As per EPA website
https://gis.epa.ie/geonetwork/srv/api/records/8a5209fe-554e-4f09-952c-2e596f813292
The following link (as above) is a dataset that “represents the site locations of Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems where inspections have been carried out under the National Inspection Plan.
These locations have been captured by Local Authority Inspectors as part of the process of logging inspection details within the Domestic Waste Water Application. My understanding is the dataset is used by EPA to create various pdf reports but the actual GIS data does not appear to be in the public domain.
Statement on the dataset suggests that the locations in this dataset are captured using an integrated map part within the Domestic Waste Water Application whereby the Inspector selects the location on the map. Alternatively, the Inspector can enter the coordinates manually at which point the application then displays the location on the map for verification.
Download data here:
Sample data
Data refused
Co-ordinates of the locations of the inspections
Townland where inspection took place
Waste Water Disposal ID (*unclear what this is)
System Design PE (*unclear what this is)
Shared System (*unclear what this is)
Total Contributing PE
Number Linked Properties
Shape GIS Details
EPA grounds for refusal:
The factors in favour of withholding this information are:
• Right to privacy
• Right to privacy of third parties
• Public Interest in protecting the ability of public bodies to carry out their functions and to be able to communicate effectively.
Request for Internal Review: based on the following submissions
- environmental data should be published by default, particularly locations of pollution inspections
- public interest in an open and transparent national septic tank inspection regime
- adjoining properties have a right to know, as could adversely impact their lands, water supplies, farm payments etc
- location of environmental hazards is absolutely core to AIE process (threats to human health and safety)
- EPA approach to redacting environmental enforcement data undermines the local authority process of enforcement inspections
Request internal review: 25/2/22
Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992 (Section 63)
63.—(1) Where the Agency (the EPA) is of opinion that a local authority has failed to perform a statutory function of that authority in relation to environmental protection, or has performed that function in an unsatisfactory manner, the Agency may request a report within a specified period from the authority in relation to the matter and the local authority shall comply with the request.
https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1992/act/7/section/63/enacted/en/html
AIE (03/05/22)
Under the AIE Regs to request a list of all EPA requests made to local authorities under Section 63 of the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992 for 2020, 2021 and 2022 to date
Under the Act these requests are made where a local authority has failed to perform a statutory function of that authority in relation to environmental protection, or has performed that function in an unsatisfactory manner
EPA Newly Assigned Waterbodies under the WFD
The following waterbodies were unassigned in 2021, so logically these are now assigned in the new update (April 2022)
Extracted via EPA mapping interface
EPA Map: Licensed Peat Extraction Installation Boundary
AIE: OEE AIE 2022 17
Abstract: This dataset demonstrates the location name and area of bogs licensed for the extraction of peat by Bord na Mona under nine separate licences.
Data Purpose: To facilitate the identification of the location and area of licensed peat extraction site boundaries.
The concerned records have been published to the EPA website and are available at EPA Maps. To find the records, look in “WMS Layers” for “Licensed Peat Extraction Installation Boundary”.
Presentation on EPA Enforcement Activities
Useful overview of the OEE division of EPA
> 1500 inspections/yr
10-20 prosecutions/yr
24 active cases before the courts
• 11 District Court
• 2 Circuit (via DPP)
• 11 High Court
Environment and Public Purse protected from Environmental Liabilities and Damage from Regulated Sites
No regulated activity having an impact on the environment or public health (water/air/odour)
Reduced GHG emissions from regulated activities
Unauthorised peat activities ceased
Improved and consistent Local Authority environmental performance delivering better compliance and environmental outcomes
OEE functions and resources aligned to be responsive and adaptable to meet emerging challenges
OEE Leadership team working collaboratively to foster a culture of innovation, support, flexibility and responsiveness across the OEE
Improved engagement and interaction with the regulated community and other Stakeholders
Improved access to information for the public