Recent EPA Research in the Area of Water Quality
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published a range of research reports in 2025 within the area of water quality […]
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Archive
Public consultation on the EPA’s proposed assessment methodology and hydrological limits for identifying significant water abstractions
An abstraction is the removal or diversion of water from a river, lake, stream, spring, groundwater well, or borehole, for […]
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International Association of Hydrogeologists (Irish Group) Conference – 26 + 27 April, 2022: Making the invisible, visible
The 42nd Annual IAH (Irish Group) Groundwater Conference: “Groundwater: Making the Invisible, Visible” will be held over two half-days on Tuesday […]
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Conference: Catchment science and management – the role of geoscience and groundwater
The 41st Annual IAH Irish Group Groundwater Conference Catchment Science and Management – The Role of Geoscience and Groundwater will […]
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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 […]
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The impacts of climate change on Irish groundwater resources
Groundwater resources in Ireland As the largest store of available fresh water, groundwater is a priceless resource that needs to […]
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WFD Characterisation: Assessing Groundwater
Anthony Mannix from the EPA Catchments Unit gives an overview of why groundwater is so important, and how its quality […]
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Groundwater source protection terminology used in Ireland
This article aims to explain and clarify technical terms used for groundwater source protection. There are several terms used in […]
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Surface Water Groundwater Interaction (2008)
The management of water resources in Ireland prior to the Water Framework Directive (WFD) has focussed on surface water and groundwater […]
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.