
Public meetings organised to discuss water quality in Connemara
Community information meetings which aim to encourage all 'stakeholders' to participate in helping make water quality improvements are set to take place in Co. Galway.
The Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO), is holding two community information meetings on water quality in Furbo and Letterfrack, Co. Galway on April 24 and April 29.
The two community information meetings are being held to increase awareness about work in the area, and to encourage as much engagement as possible with all stakeholders across the community.
LAWPRO works on behalf of Ireland's 31 local authorities to protect and restore good water quality throughout Ireland.
Under the Water Action Plan 2024, LAWPRO carries out work in areas identified as having poor water quality – known as priority areas for action (PAAs) – to support targeted water quality improvements by state bodies and local authorities.
Water quality
Since 2018, LAWPRO has been working in Connemara North as part of delivery under the second cycle of Ireland's River Basin Management Plan 2018-2021.
At the upcoming meetings, LAWPRO catchment scientists will take participants through the work that has already been carried out, and what is being planned under the third cycle of the Water Action Plan 2024, including expanding into Connemara South.
There will also be opportunities for the public to ask questions and talk to members of the Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory programme (ASSAP) and the Farming for Water European Innovation Partnership (EIP) project.
Regional coordinator with LAWPRO, Dr Bernie White said: 'As we are coming to the end of second cycle work in Connemara and expanding our plans for further work in the area under the Water Action Plan, we would like to take this opportunity to welcome members of the public to come along and find out more about what's happening in their local waterbodies.
'We hope to engage as many people as possible at the two meetings, as public participation is key to helping make water quality improvements.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Irish Independent
29-05-2025
- Irish Independent
Future of Wicklow rivers in jeopardy as TD warns of weakened protections
Jennifer Whitmore says proposed changes to water quality standards could lead to pollution and long-term ecological damage in Vartry and Dargle rivers. Wicklow People A Wicklow TD with a background in ecology, marine science and environmental law fears that a recent government decision will weaken environmental protections which could have 'disastrous' consequences for Wicklow waterways such as the Vartry ad Dargle rivers. The draft River Basin Management Plan aims to set out the measures that are necessary to protect and restore water quality in Ireland. Under the draft River Basin Management Plan, protections for 456 water bodies nationwide are at risk of being diluted by being classified as 'highly modified'. If this goes ahead, it will mean that these water ways will no longer be subject to water quality standards. In Wicklow, rivers like the Vartry and Dargle, both currently rated as having 'good' ecological status, could face increased pollution and degradation if these changes are introduced.


Irish Independent
29-05-2025
- Irish Independent
North Kerry public will have chance to ask questions on local water quality at upcoming meeting
The meeting is being held to make more people aware of work to improve water quality in the area and to encourage engagement on the subject from the community, agencies and groups. The event has been organised by the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO), which works on behalf of Ireland's local authorities to protect and restore good water quality in rivers, lakes and estuaries, ground and coastal water. LAWPRO experts will take attendees through the work that has been carried out through its River Basin Management Plan and what is being planned for the future in Listowel Municipal District. Those in attendance will have opportunities to ask questions and talk to members of the Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme and the LAWPRO Farming for Water European Innovation Partnership project team. Ahead of the public meeting, Anthony Coleman, director of services with LAWPRO, said that his organisation would like to take the opportunity to welcome members of the public to come and find out more about what is happening in their local waterbodies and river catchments. 'We hope to engage as many people as possible at this meeting in Kerry because public participation and support is key to achieving water quality improvements,' Mr Coleman said. 'We would also like to thank all those whether in a voluntary or paid capacity, working in their local areas to help make a difference to their natural waters and the biodiversity that live in and around them.' The information meeting will take place from 7pm to 9.30pm at Kerry Writer's Museum on June 10.


Irish Independent
01-05-2025
- Irish Independent
Community information meeting on Wicklow water quality announced
Under the Water Action Plan 2024 – A River Basin Management Plan for Ireland, LAWPRO carries out work in areas identified as having poor water quality called priority areas for action (PAAs) to support targeted water quality improvements by state bodies and local authorities. Since 2018 LAWPRO has been working in PAAs in Wicklow and the information evening will involve discussions on the work commencing first in Kilcoole, Newcastle and Newtowmountkennedy PAA this summer. Ahead of the community information meeting, Basil Mannion, senior community water officer with LAWPRO said: 'As we are coming to the end of second cycle work and expanding our third cycle plans for further work in the area under the Water Action Plan, we would like to take this opportunity to welcome members of the public to come along and find out more about what's happening in their local waterbodies. 'We hope to engage as many people as possible at the two meetings as public participation is key to helping make water quality improvements. We would also like to thank all those whether in a voluntary or paid capacity who work in their local areas and help to make a difference to their natural waters and the biodiversity that lives in and around them.' The information meeting takes place at the Parkview Hotel, Newtownmountkennedy, from 7.30pm on Thursday, May 6. The meeting is being held to increase awareness about water quality work in the area and to encourage as much engagement as possible with all stakeholders right across the community including key agencies, special interest groups, voluntary, public and private sectors. LAWPRO catchment scientists will take you through the work that has been carried out and what is being planned under the third cycle Water Action Plan 2024. There will also be opportunities for the public to ask questions and talk to members of the Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme (ASSAP) programme and the Farming for Water European Innovation Partnership (EIP) project.