EPA STRIVE Research ProgrammeEPA STRIVE Research ProgrammeWater ResearchWater Research
Irish Freshwater Biologists Annual Meeting Irish Freshwater Biologists Annual Meeting
UCD – 12/03/2010UCD – 12/03/2010
Alice WemaereAlice Wemaere
Presentation OverviewPresentation Overview
EPA Research Programme Overview
Water Research
Projects Overview
International Linkages
STRIVE Programme 2007-2013STRIVE Programme 2007-2013
“To protect and improve the natural environment by addressing key environmental management issues through the provision of world-class scientific knowledge, generated through a vibrant, competitive programme of research supported and co-ordinated by EPA”
What are the drivers?What are the drivers?
Water Framework Directive Drinking Water Directive Bathing Water Directive Nitrates Pollution Directive Groundwater Directive Flood Directive Marine Strategy Framework Directive Urban Waste Water Directive Dangerous Substances Directive Environmental Liability Directive Soil Thematic Strategy
EPA-funded ResearchEPA-funded Research
2000 / 2002 Calls2000 / 2002 Calls Directly aimed at the
implementation of the WFD (mainly DS)
2005 Calls2005 Calls Aimed at the Characterisation
report, references conditions & public participation
2007 Calls2007 Calls Efficiency of Measures, Monitoring
Criteria for PP; Understanding of contaminants pathways
Air Quality Biodiversity
Cleaner Production Climate Change
Environment & Health Environmental Technology
Landuse Soils & Transport Socio-Economic
Waste & Resource Mgt Water Quality
Local Authority
Private Sector
Research Institutes
3rd Level Institution
Review of EPA Water ResearchReview of EPA Water Research
Evaluation Framework & VFM in-house Study (2007)
CIRCA Benchmarking of ERTDI Programme (2007)
Assessment of policy impacts of WFD-targeted research (2009)
Current ResearchCurrent Research
Completing in 2010:2005 Projects:
WINCOMS ILLUMINATE IMPLANT
2007 Projects: Alien Invasive Species
Ongoing Projects:
Pathways Project
HYDROFOR Project
Monitoring Criteria for Priority
Pollutants
Groundwater Fauna
EFFECT Project
ET, EH, PhDs & FS
PATHWAYSPATHWAYS
Project:€2m – 5 yearQUB, UCD & TCD
Aims:
Integrate relevant past and current research studies into a catchment management tool (CMT) for use by RBD management
Help improve the current understanding of hydrological processes in the Irish context: Contaminant transport and attenuation, Impact upon receptors.
Website:www.qub.ac.uk/research-centres/eerc/UsefulLinks/Pathways-EPASTRIVEProject/
HYDROFORHYDROFOR
Project:€2m – 5 year; co-funded with COFORDUCD, NUIG, UCC, MI
Aims:Better explain/predict ecological quality of waterways affected by forestry to advance scientific research and further inform Ireland’s Water Framework Directive Programme of Measures development process Investigate the effects of forestry enterprises on Ireland’s aquatic
ecology Assess measures to efficiently reduce these effects
Website:www.ucd.ie/hydrofor/home.htm
Monitoring Criteria for PPMonitoring Criteria for PP
Project:DCU, CIT
Aims:Establish an index that relates population equivalents to the occurrence and / or concentration of dangerous and priority pollutants.
Review & Optimisation of laboratory methods Assessment of content of priority substances: Domestic & Industrial Emission Factors
Website: https://sites.google.com/site/criteriaforprioritychemicals/
Groundwater FaunaGroundwater Fauna
Project:U. Ulster & NUIG
Aims:Assessment of the distribution, structure and functioning of subterranean fauna within Irish groundwater systemsSurvey for subterranean faunaStructure and functioning of key species Niphargus kochianus irlandicus
Contact:Joerg Arnscheidt ([email protected])
EFFECTEFFECT
An Effective Framework For assessing aquatic ECosysTem responses to implementation of the Phosphorous Regulations
Project: TCD, AFBI, U. Ulster
Aims:
Identification of water bodies/stretches of water that are particularly sensitive to P-induced impairment or insensitive to remediation,
Determination of the efficacy of POMs aimed at reducing diffuse and point-source, P-induced impacts on water quality
Contact:David Taylor ([email protected])
Policy Support – Env & HealthPolicy Support – Env & Health
Enhancing Human Health Through Improved Water Quality project Cryptosporidium UnderstandingNUIG/HSEhttp://www.nuigalway.ie/ehh/ehhtiwq_home.php
Other Health-Water projectsBiologicals – Pathogens, Norovirus, Chemicals – Personal Care Products, Anti-microbial residues, Nanoparticles
Research SupportingResearch SupportingEnvironmental TechnologiesEnvironmental Technologies
> 98% Metal Removal using Nano
IBM/ Water Quality
Sensor at Inniscarra
Toxicity testing – replacement animal trials
Anaerobic sewage treatment at 120C 500 days
Research supporting Policy & Research supporting Policy & TechnologyTechnologyDEPLOYDCU/UCC/SWRBD & IDSStarted April 2009 – Partners Trial (EPA/MI)http://89.124.67.3/deploy2/Home/tabid/180/Default.aspx
Flow-Proportional passive sensor validation of phosphorus and nitrogen in Irish rivers
Research Support (Policy, Research Support (Policy, Technology & Careers) Technology & Careers)
NUIG research facility at Tuam WWTP
Full strength wastewater,200-600 PE,
Research into N & P removal, emerging pollutants, design capacity loading – Support for UWWT Directive
Test Centre for Irish WWTP technology SMEs (sensor, membranes)
Training centre for LA operators and future engineers
International LinkagesInternational Linkages
SNIFFER
ERA-Nets: SKEP, Env & Health, CIRCLE2
FP7
WssTP
Contact: [email protected]
