1. Groundwater related aspects of the 2018 drought in Ireland Dr
Groundwater related aspects of the 2018 drought in Ireland Dr. Conor Quinlan Monday 8th October 2018

2. Meteorological context
April
May
June
July
August
(mm)
Source: Met Éireann

3. Hydrological response to the drought
September
July
August

4. Hydrological response to the drought

5. Hydrogeological response to the drought
Karst – no record low
Gravel – no record low yet
Fractured – record low
Fractured – no record low yet

6. Hydrogeological response to the drought
39% of groundwater monitoring points assessed so far have recorded record lows in 2018
This figure will rise as many have not reached annual low point yet
Groundwater-fed lakes also at record lows and still falling
Analysis to be completed on level of impact by aquifer type, borehole depth and location
Ongoing work - national programme of river spot flow measurements to assess impact of groundwater abstractions on river low flows during drought periods

7. Groundwater abstraction in Ireland
*Information for public supplies only (Source: Irish Water, public water utility)
Total population served by at risk sources (GW & SW) : 1,604,000
Total population served by at risk GW sources: ,000
Groundwater provides 17% of public water supply
springs 105,000 m³/d
boreholes 177,000 m³/d
(from a public water supply total of 1,624,000 m³/d)
Majority of GWS and
Private supplies from
Groundwater sources

8. Drought impact on groundwater sources
Predominantly surface water sources at risk
But groundwater sources more likely to enter emergency state
Primarily in the southern half of the country
Low water levels main issue
Limited anecdotal reports of dug wells and some boreholes running dry
Lack of regulation/reporting of private supplies affects ability to see complete picture

9. Proposed abstraction control regime
General binding rules for all abstractions
Registration for all abstraction >25m³/d
Licencing of all abstractions;
>2,000m³/d
>250m³/d deemed to be significant pressure through WFD characterisation
Assessment to be carried out cumulatively
Licence to abstract will not confer permanent legal right to an abstraction
Regime driven by WFD characterisation process

10. Wider impacts of the drought
Increased interest in developing private groundwater abstractions – agricultural and industrial sectors
Increased interest in providing public supplies from groundwater
Increased awareness that groundwater fed lakes and high BFI rivers are more drought resilient
In the context of climate change adaptation this has progressed the national debate somewhat
So, anticipating increased awareness of and interest in groundwater as a resource in coming years

11. Thank you