Water Framework Directive Guidance on Characterisation Methodology V4.0 – September 2016
The purpose of this report is to describe: the role of characterisation in water resources management in Ireland and the […]

The purpose of this report is to describe: the role of characterisation in water resources management in Ireland and the […]
Under The Water Framework Directive (WFD) a River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) must be prepared for each European river basin and […]
“Abstractions” are points where water is extracted from a waterbody. These reports look at abstractions from different types of waterbodies. […]
Protected areas are identified as those requiring special protection under existing national or European legislation, either to protect their surface […]
The EU Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) establishes a framework for the protection, improvement and management of surface and ground waters. […]
A brief summary is given herein of the national WFD monitoring programme, the development of which involved consultations with the River […]
This document summarises the cases for extended deadline exemption which are detailed in the final River Basin Management Plans for the […]
The freshwater pearl mussel is a bivalve, which is a type of mollusc or snail with a body that is […]
A ‘climate-check’ has been completed of the River Basin Management Plan. The climate-check was achieved by: Assessing risk, due to climate […]
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 waterbodies.
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 and Communities Office.
The EPA is responsible for coordinating the monitoring, assessment and reporting on the status of our 4829 waterbodies, looking at trends and changes and determining which waterbodies are at risk and what could be causing this, and drafting environmental objectives and measures 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 that will be implemented after public consultation, and sign off by the Minister.