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.
The EPA has published the results of the HYDROFOR research project which is an EPA and DAFM-supported multi-sector co-operative project […]
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Hydromorphology considers the physical character and water content of water bodies. Good hydromorphological conditions support aquatic ecosystems (i.e. hydromorphological elements […]
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In July 2014, The Department of Environment, Community & Local Government issued the European Union (Water Policy) Regulations 2014, which […]
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On June 24th 2015, the designation of Dublin Bay Biosphere was announced. Biospheres are internationally recognised for their biological diversity yet […]
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Crayfish background For those who aren’t already aware of their existence, crayfish are native to Irish lakes, rivers, streams and […]
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The EPA has published the results of research by researchers at Dublin Institute of Technology: “Towards an Integrated Policy Framework […]
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Water is a precious resource, and is essential for all life on earth. Managing our water so it can meet […]
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The Coad Bog Bioblitz that took place from the 20th-27th May in County Kerry was a wonderful success. The Irish Peatland […]
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This research adopted a multi-pronged approach to audit and benchmark the resource efficiency of Irish wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), including […]
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In 2014, the Minister for the Environment introduced the European Union (Water Policy) Regulations 2014 which set out a new […]
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.