A quarter of water pollution incidents in 2022 were linked to agriculture and one in eight to the operations of Northern Ireland Water, according to a new report.
The NI Audit Office report found that water quality in rivers and lakes has not improved since 2015.
It also said that a 2027 EU target for standards will be missed.
The auditor general said funding deficits were “likely to have impacted” water quality, with more work required.
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Dorinnia Carville’s report also indicated that measures to tackle agricultural practices partly responsible for water quality issues “have not been effective”.
The report examined how the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) has planned and managed its resources to address issues and meet regulatory requirements.
Four recommendations were made, including development and publication of an overarching water quality improvement strategy by Daera.
It went to to note that the continuing issues were “partly attributable” to agricultural practices which led to excess nutrient or fertiliser accumulating in rivers and lakes.
Most of those incidents were in the River Blackwater area, with farm effluent mixture, silage and cattle waste most frequently detected.
“Better and sustained engagement with stakeholders including the agriculture sector is needed and consideration should be given to enhancing the effectiveness of regulatory and inspection work,” she said.
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