A review of remediation and control systems for the treatment of agricultural wastewater in Ireland to satisfy the requirements of the Water Framework Directive

In Ireland, agricultural activities have been identified as major sources of nutrient input to receiving waters and it has been estimated that these activities contribute 75.3% of the nitrogen (N) and 33.4% of the phosphorus (P) in these waters. Strategy at European level focuses on the prevention of nutrient loss by improved farm management. However, it does not focus on nutrient remediation or incidental nutrient loss of farmyard manures to surface and groundwater. This review describes the impact of agriculture on the environment in Ireland and examines emerging technologies for agricultural wastewater treatment. An integrated approach at pre-treatment and field stages for nitrate (NO3) remediation and P control is recommended.