The EPA Catchments Unit is based in Dublin, and the team is involved with catchment science, chemistry, ecology, hydromorphology, modelling, Geographic Information Systems and planning. We work with the wider EPA, all of our local authorities, the Local Authority Waters and Communities Office, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, and other public bodies and Departments to ensure we have the best available data and information about our catchments.
Derek Mcloughlin and Patrick Cushell tell us about the Pearl Mussel Project, which is working in eight Irish catchments to […]
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Hedgehogs are undoubtedly one of the most unique of all Irish mammals. Weighing less than 1kg this insectivore has been […]
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Public and particularly local participation in protecting our rivers, lakes and water resources from pollution has never been more important. […]
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Karen Kennedy tells us how the LA Waters Programme organised training for anglers who wanted to learn more about protecting […]
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The 2019 Catchment management Network meeting was held on 11 October in Tullamore. Ireland’s local authorities and other bodies with […]
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John Stack from Dublin City Council tells us about the changes that happen as a catchment urbanises, how an urban […]
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The UK & Ireland’s Lake Network conference is underway in Westport today. This video from the EPA shows the beautiful […]
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Debra Castles tells us about the EU SWIM Project – an innovative cross-border project that wants to change how bathing […]
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Knotweed is Priority for Offaly The focus for work on invasives in Offaly is predominantly on Japanese knotweed with two […]
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Mary-Liz Walshe from Dublin City Council and Sinead Hurson from the LA Waters Programme tell us the story of the […]
Read MoreQuite simply, everyone in Ireland has a role to play. This can be from something as simple as making sure you don’t pollute your local stream, or a local community working together to establish a Rivers Trust to enhance the rivers and lakes in their area, to a Government Department or Agency helping a Minister implement a new policy to help protect and enhance all our water bodies.
This website has been developed and is maintained by the Environmental Protection Agency, and is a collaboration between the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Local Authority Waters Programme.
The Local Authority Waters Programme coordinates the efforts of local authorities and other public bodies in the implementation of the River Basin Management Plan, and supports local community and stakeholder involvement in managing our natural waters, for everyone’s benefit.
The EPA is responsible for coordinating the monitoring, assessment and reporting on the status of our 4,842 water bodies, looking at trends and changes, determining which waterbodies are at risk and what could be causing this, and drafting environmental objectives for each.
The Department is responsible for making sure that the right policies, regulations and resources are in place to implement the Water Framework Directive, and developing a River Basin Management Plan and Programme of Measures to protect and restore our waters.