Analysis of highway runoff in Ireland

Abstract

A considerable body of research already exists on highway runoff and associated management strategies from various countries throughout Europe and beyond. These studies have indicated that runoff from highways can contain significant loads of contaminants including heavy metals, nutrients and hydrocarbons, all of which, depending on concentration and flow, can have a detrimental impact on the roadside environment. However, veiy limited information was found to exist on the characteristics and management of highway runoff in Ireland. Moreover, under the Water Framework Directive (EU, 2000), a highway may be regarded as a source of diffuse pollution to the receiving environment; therefore under this Directive the emissions will have to be quantified and controlled accordingly with respect to their potential impacts on receiving water bodies.