EPA project finds that Ireland has had a serious water quality decline

An assessment by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found that there has been an 'unwelcome' decline in the state and quality of Irish water.

The six-year project found that hundreds of bodies of water around the country have depleted in quality. 

EPA said that just 21 lakes and rives could be considered pristine in Ireland.

That compares to over 500 in the 1980s.

EPA warns that Ireland has failed to reach its own clean-up targets for water sources.

The project included the study of rivers, canals, lakes, groundwaters and sea water.

However, the report did find that the number of seriously polluted waters has decreased.