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.

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Celebrating the conclusion of this phase of the GSI's programme, Minister for Natural Resources, Fergus O'Dowd TD, commended "both the world-class science and the many inter-agency partnerships that underpinned the projects".

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..

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 said: "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."

(CD/JP)