Community response arrests the spread of Invasive Species in Kilkenny
The spread of the Invasive species Himalayan Balsam has been the target of a community intervention along the River Nore [...]
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Catchment News
Celebrate Water Heritage Day – Sunday August 27th 2017
Heritage Week runs from 19th – 27th August 2017 providing opportunities to get outside and discover the wonders of our [...]
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The Lough Derg Native Fish Biodiversity Project: unlocking our hidden underwater biodiversity through a locally led large scale citizen science project
Ireland’s freshwater fish fauna represent some the most unique aspects of our native biodiversity. Unlike some of our other “native [...]
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Outbreak of Crayfish Plague on a stretch of the River Suir downstream of Clonmel to Carrick-on-Suir
All water users are being urged to take precautions after confirmation of an outbreak of Crayfish Plague on a stretch […]
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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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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 [...]
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 waterbodies.
This website has been developed and is maintained by the Environmental Protection Agency, and is a collaboration between the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Local Authority Waters and Communities Office.
Environmental Protection Agency
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.
Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government
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.