Status 2009-2015
The EU Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) establishes a framework for the protection, improvement and management of surface and ground waters. […]
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Archive
Monitoring Programme 2009-2015
A brief summary is given herein of the national WFD monitoring programme, the development of which involved consultations with the River […]
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Freshwater Pearl Mussel Plans 2009-2015
The freshwater pearl mussel is a bivalve, which is a type of mollusc or snail with a body that is […]
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Municipal and Industrial Regulated Activities (2008)
Point source discharges refer to discharges from urban waste water treatment plants, licensed discharges to surface waters regulated by the EPA, […]
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Water Dependent Species and Habitats Guidance (2008)
The purpose of this guidance is primarily to provide information on Habitats Directive Annex 1 and 2 listed water dependent […]
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Diffuse Mobile Organics (2008)
A revised national assessment of risk to groundwater from diffuse mobile organics (DMOs) has been carried out in the Irish hydrogeological […]
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Unsewered Wastewater Treatment Systems National Study (2008)
Unsewered wastewater treatment systems constitute a significant diffuse pressure acting on water. The pressure on groundwater is described as widespread in […]
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Forestry and Water (2008)
Conifer plantation forests in Ireland are recognised as a potential source of diffuse pollution, in conjunction with many others, to water […]
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Marine Morphology (2008)
The Marine Morphology Programme of Measures and Standards (PoMS) Study aims to provide a protocol to apply in the further characterisation […]
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Freshwater Morphology (2008)
“Morphology” is a description of the shape and direction water flows in a waterbody, for example a river, and how […]
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Who 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.