What does citizen science, a local water champion and Lipton tea bags have in common?
This is the story of Enda Fields and his lifelong interest in his local water environment. Enda has a long […]
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Articles by category
Assessing the impact of the Bellawaddy River on the microbiological quality of the bathing waters of Enniscrone Beach, Co. Sligo
The Bathing Water Directive (2006/7/EC) was transposed into Irish law in 2008. Its objective is to improve the protection of […]
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What is good ecological status and why does it matter?
Good ecological status’ is a key term in the EU Water Framework Directive – the policy framework through which European […]
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New ‘Waters and Communities’ Tidy Towns Award for 2017
Sponsored by Inland Fisheries Ireland, Waterways Ireland and the Local Authority Waters and Communities Office. The new Water and Communities […]
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Help fight alien plants invading Ireland – ‘Report Invasive Plants’ tracking app for iPhone and Android launched
Invasive plants pose the second greatest risk to wildlife after habitat destruction, and also pose a threat to water quality […]
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Tidy Towns – Networking for Nature Event, Carrick-on-Shannon
Over sixty people gathered from Tidy Towns groups in the Bush Hotel in Carrick-on-Shannon last Saturday 11 March for a […]
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Dundalk Bay Events: What does your river mean to you?
Meetings are being held with communities along the rivers of the Dundalk Bay Catchment. These free events will allow you […]
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EPA Research 209: Co-benefits for Water and Biodiversity from the Sustainable Management of High Nature Value Farmland
Agriculture systems in Europe range from very intensive production on fertile land with high inputs to very extensive High Nature […]
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2017 Catchment Management Network Meeting
We would like to thank all the attendees and especially the presenters from this year’s meeting of the Catchment Management […]
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Public Consultation on the draft River Basin Management Plans for Ireland 2018-2021
The overarching aim of the Water Framework Directive is to achieve at least good status for all water bodies. It […]
Read MoreWho is involved?
Quite 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.
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.
Environmental Protection Agency
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.
Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
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.