Monitoring of water quality & Key Findings to Date

We sampled water quality in the Larah catchment to better understand the current conditions of the river. We took samples on a weekly (or bi-weekly) basis from across the catchment and tested for:

• colour and turbidity (cloudiness)
• levels of pesticides

In addition to the spot samples, we also trialled the use of passive samples. passive samplers allow us to continuously monitor pesticide levels during a given period. All of these water quality samples help us understand the current condition of the rivers feeding into the Belturbet water source. This knowledge will allow us to track improvements to water quality as we continue the project.

• In our study catchment, higher concentrations and load of MCPA were recorded in 2023 compared to 2022. This is thought to be due to the wet weather that occurred though late Spring to Autumn 2023 which resulted in a higher rate of pesticide runoff. 
   
• Peak pesticide loads typically occur in Autumn with peak concentrations in Spring. 
   
• Across the wider Erne catchment, data showed that 2023 was a notably wet year and 2022 was a dry year in the context of our monitoring period. This has resulted in higher pesticide loads in 2023 due to increased runoff.