Geological Survey of Ireland delivers programme results
- New National Groundwater Protection map
- Quarry planning enhanced with new Aggregate Potential Map
Dublin, 26th November 2013
A new national groundwater vulnerability map, to help protect vital water supplies, has been produced as part of the most comprehensive groundwater mapping project undertaken in the country to date, Minister Fergus O’Dowd has announced.
Significant findings from the Geological Survey of Ireland’s (GSI) multiannual programme – which covered a range of activities where geology is critical to society – were announced today at the Geoscience 2013 conference. The conference, sub titled GSI Geoscience Initiatives: achievements, applications and future directions, was attended by over 200 delegates at Dublin Castle.
Amongst the most significant new maps are the Groundwater Vulnerability Maps, showing those areas where the water supplies may be most at risk of pollution or contamination, and conversely those areas safest to develop wells and water supplies.
Celebrating the conclusion of this phase of the GSI’s programme, Minister for Natural Resources, Mr Fergus O’Dowd TD, commended “both the world-class science and the many inter-agency partnerships that underpinned the projects.
“I am delighted at the new mapping and datasets available, particularly in how they will assist planning and development of our natural resources – information that could have significant positive impacts for the regional economy.”
This first digital, National Groundwater Vulnerability Map is produced to help protect groundwater and drinking water supplies. The Minister said he expected this will be used by Local Authorities, the Environmental Protection Agency, consultants and individuals, to better understand and mange land use and development that have the potential to impact on groundwater..
The Minster pointed out that this is the culmination of over seven year’s painstaking work. An allocation of National Development Plan funding in 2007 allowed the accelerated completion of the previously county-based mapping programme that was started in the 1990s, in partnership with Local Authorities. Five geologists were employed for this project, recording information along more than 40,000 km of road, covering more than 50,000 km2, to complete the project.
Also launched at the conference is the Aggregate Potential Map for Quarry Planning. GSI has produced two new National maps which indicate the potential for the occurrence of aggregates (rock particles used in construction), one for sand and gravel and the other for crushed rock. The maps, coloured coded to show the potential, have been developed on a county basis and will be of interest to both Local Authorities to assist them in their planning and environmental role, and to suppliers of aggregates as they indicate areas which may be considered for future development. The Minster commented “ we are seeing some recovery in the construction sector – it’s important we take a long term perspective and realise we need to ensure these vital building materials are available into the future.”
In addition to the programmes highlighted, results from a further eight programmes will be presented along with research outputs from the Geoscience Griffith Awards programme.
The new mapping, as well as results from the full range of Geoscience Initiative projects, is available, free of charge to everyone, to view and download from the Geological Survey of Ireland website, www.gsi.ie
ENDS
Attached map to go with press Release showing areas of Groundwater Vulnerability, i.e where water supply needs most protection.
Notes to Editors
The Projects presented at the conference
National Groundwater Vulnerability Mapping
National Aggregate Potential Mapping
Landslide Susceptibility Mapping
Shallow Geothermal (Ground source) Mapping & Guidance
Carbon Dioxide storage potential
Geoheritage and Geopark development
Quaternary Mapping & Landscape Feature Database
Geourban, Mapping in urban spatial planning
Tellus Border Programme, applications in health, mining and economics
INFOMAR 2026, Ireland’s national marine mapping programme
Geoscience Ireland, the GSI EI Business development cluster
Geoscience Griffith awards programme, research highlights.
Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI)
Geological Survey of Ireland is a division of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and acts as the states Geoscience agency.