The Lough Neagh Report: Blue Green Algae and Water Quality in Northern Ireland – July 2024

Executive Summary

The factors that came together in 2023 that resulted in the devastating spread of blue green algae in the internationally important Lough Neagh were:

– Pollution (excess phosphorus and nitrogen) entering our waterways from agriculture, wastewater treatment works, domestic systems and industry.

– Climate change resulting in record high water temperature.

– Zebra mussels, an invasive species known to disrupt ecosystems by impacting water clarity.

This report has considered all of these factors, however, the actions we can take to protect Lough Neagh must focus on reducing the level of all forms of pollution getting into our waterways.

The scope and aim of this report, developed in conjunction with officials from the Department of Infrastructure (DfI) and NI Water (NIW), addresses the specific water quality crisis experienced in Lough Neagh and other water bodies throughout Northern Ireland. It is acknowledged that resolving the biodiversity issues are as vital to the Lough and its recovery.  While not the main focus of this report, robust conservation measures to restore ecological resilience are an integral part of this recovery. These measures will be reviewed under elements of Northern Ireland’s first Environmental Improvement Plan, once approved by the Executive.

It is widely recognised that the intensification of agricultural production has had negative impacts on the environment. The RePhokUs report identified that high nutrient (phosphorus) levels in Northern Ireland waterbodies have three main sources – estimating, from a study of the food system, that 62% of the phosphorus inputs are from agriculture, 24% from wastewater treatment works and 12% from septic tanks.  (Note 1).  Provisional Lough Neagh-specific source apportionment data produced by AFBI follows a similar pattern, with agriculture and wastewater treatment work effluent being the two principal nutrient input categories.

Lough Neagh specific data will be published later in the summer and is likely to identify that phosphorus inputs from agriculture are in the same order as those detailed in the RePhokUs report.

Given the longer-term assessment that blue green algae will return in subsequent years, it is understandable that the state of the Lough Neagh ecosystem and the safety of raw water abstracted from Lough Neagh to provide drinking water, is of the utmost importance and is one element of the basis of public concern.

Despite the protected status of Lough Neagh as an ASSI, SPA and Ramsar site, our existing regulatory and policy frameworks have failed to adequately protect water quality, the Lough Neagh ecosystem and our wider environment. Our lakes, our rivers, our streams and our coastline are increasingly suffering from the effects of pollution. The environmental and societal impact of this is unsustainable.

To address this environmental decline, a joint DAERA/DfI working group has developed an action plan (Annex A). This plan has been informed by the work of the Science Advisory Group whose core membership comprises of leading scientists/professional experts from universities and science organisations across the UK and Ireland. The main areas of work reviewed by the

Science Advisory Group are summarised in Annex B.

Our consideration of the science and evidence points to the following key steps that must be taken urgently if we are to reduce nutrient inputs –

1.  Ensure all existing and emerging DAERA policies contribute to the achievement of “Good” water quality status (Note 2), given the increasing trends of excess nutrients in the environment from sources such as agriculture, wastewater, domestic discharges and industry.  Proposals 2-5 will directly contribute to reducing the phosphorus surplus in the NI agricultural sector.
2. Introduce a new regulatory framework for the processing of livestock slurries to reduce land spreading of excess phosphorus, produce renewable energy and recycle/reuse of organic nutrients.
3. Review the Nutrients Action Programme (NAP) regulations. To include a consultation on restricting the use of chemical fertilisers containing phosphorus on grassland, guided by science and evidence including the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme (SNHS) with the understanding that Privacy Notice and agreements in terms of data use of Soil Nutrient Health Scheme remaining unaltered, including data not being shared for enforcement purposes and the establishment of a Fertiliser Database. Encourage and incentivise the continued uptake of Low Emission Slurry Spreading Equipment (LESSE).
4. Launch a Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) Phase 2 project to improve the Sustainable Utilisation of Livestock Slurry (SULS) and develop demonstrator sites to process livestock manures/slurry.
5. Roll out of the Defra-Led Dairy Demonstrator Project to formulate and test on farm livestock diets which reduce ammonia emissions, phosphorus losses and greenhouse gas emissions in Dairy herds.
6. Increased activity focused in areas of highest risk including cumulative breaches and informed by scientific evidence with a view to having a focussed enforcement taskforce.
7. Subject to funding availability seek to deliver on the Lough Neagh wastewater schemes as set out in the price control determination with a focus on reducing nutrient loading, especially phosphorus and nitrogen.
8. Deliver targeted education and training in compliance and environmental performance with participation introduced as a requirement for involvement in the Farm Support and Development Programme.
9. Initiate a Lough Neagh science platform to improve knowledge and understanding and provide evidence to inform policy, decision making and assist in both setting baseline data and measuring outcomes.

The main actions are structured around the following 4 pillars:

EDUCATION (based on experiential and social learning).  To empower knowledge and skills essential for decision making.

INVESTMENT.  Investment, incentivisation and innovation aimed at motivating, and funding actions which will drive the adoption of behavioural change.

REGULATION There is a statutory obligation to protect the quality of our water.

ENFORCEMENT Action will be taken against those who fail to comply with the regulations.

Crucially, the above pillars will be underpinned by science.

Improving water quality in Northern Ireland requires action, resources and all of us working together. It requires us all to take responsibility for the waste we produce and the way we deal with it.

Notes

Note 1. 1 Phosphorus stocks and flows in an intensive livestock dominated food system – PMC (nih.gov) 10.1016/j.resconrec.2020.105065

Note 2. www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/water-framework-directive-statistics

For entire Lough Neagh Report, see bit.ly/4df3BDc