European Union Environmental Objectives (Groundwater) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (S.I. No. 51/2025).

The European Union Environmental Objectives (Groundwater) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 aim to enhance the protection of groundwater quality in line with Directive 2000/60/EC. These regulations amend the Principal Regulations from 2010 by adding measures to prevent the deterioration of water quality and reduce the need for purification treatments. They establish safeguard zones for water bodies and ensure that the most stringent objectives apply when multiple goals are relevant. The regulations also introduce detailed monitoring requirements for both surface and groundwater, specifying the frequency and parameters for various quality elements. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is tasked with implementing these monitoring programs to assess and maintain the ecological and chemical status of water bodies, ensuring compliance with the directive's objectives.