Catchment News

IAH groundwater Conference: Characterisation and Management of Groundwater in Limestones

Limestones are the dominant rock type in Ireland, comprising about 50% of the island. The 40th Annual International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH) Irish Group Groundwater Conference: Characterisation and Management of Groundwater in Limestones, will be held online over two half-days on Monday 19 and Tuesday 20 October, 2020. 

The focus of the conference this year is not only on the pure limestones (karst) but also the impure limestones (such as the “Calp”). Given its prominence in the Irish landscape, limestone interacts with all aspects of hydrogeology.

The Burren (Photo: Niamh Rogan).

The conference sessions aim to provide insights into these important interactions such as those with water resources protection and management, contamination, ecology and surface water, as well as practical characterisation and investigation techniques.

There will be a total of 14 presentations over the two half-days, from consultants, academics and state agencies. It as an online event, and it will be hosted through Zoom.

Day 1 will run from 13:30 to 17:30 and Day 2 from 09:30 to 13:00.

Registration is free online through Eventbrite. Bound copies of the conference proceedings can be ordered in advance for €35 through Eventbrite when you register. The proceedings will also be available as a PDF on the IAH Ireland website.

Learn more:

Registration: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/40th-annual-iah-irish-group-online-conference-tickets-113770249880

Mullaghmore (Photo: Niamh Rogan).

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.

LAWCO

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.

EPA

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.

DECLG

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.