While the timing and composition of agricultural discharges may lessen their potential impact, nevertheless surveys confirm that they remain the major cause of pollution of inland waters. Nitrogen is also of concern in certain areas, in relation to its impact on both surface waters and groundwater. In this case also the principal source is agriculture. Quantities of non-agricultural solid waste are continuing to grow in Ireland, reaching over 15 million tonnes in 1998. The amount of municipal waste has doubled since the mid-1980s and the amounts in other categories are also increasing.
Landfill remains the predominant waste disposal practice in Ireland.
The most striking trend in waste recovery has been in the manufacturing sector, with reported recovery increasing from 31 per cent in 1995 to 51 per cent in 1998. The overall recovery rate for packaging waste was 14.8 per cent. Other growing pressures on the environment include changes on the land surface resulting from road building, industrial development, housing, agriculture, afforestation, quarrying, mineral exploitation and recreational and tourism developments. Much of the water abstracted for supply is lost through leakages from the distribution systems and measures are being taken to address the problem. Further pressures include impacts of fishing and aquaculture activities, accidental spillages and radioactive discharges from outside the State.