Midlands Residents Asked To Share Views On Water Quality

Monday, 7 February 2022 09:36

An online portal is now open and eight virtual meetings are being held.

Midlands residents are being asked for their views on water quality through a number of public meetings.

The Department for Heritage is holding a consultation on the draft River Basin Management Plan.

It's currently open for members of the public to make submissions online until March 31st.

You can make submissions at www.gov.ie/draftRBMP or through the Local Authorities Water Programme (LAWPRO) here.

Eight virtual meetings are also being held for residents across the region over the next month, to discuss factors affecting water quality in your local area and share views on the Management Plan.

A full list of information on how to register can be found here.

List of meetings for local residents:

Westmeath

Mullingar, Kinnegad, Kilbeggan, Castlepollard, Coole, Finea Wednesday 16th February, 7:30pm.

Athlone, Moate Rosemount, Glasson - Thursday 17th February, 7:30pm.

Offaly

Birr Kilcormac Banagher, Kilcormac, Ferbane, Ballyboy, Pollagh - Tuesday 22nd February, 7.30pm.

Edenderry, Clonbullogue, Daingean, Ballinagare, Geashill - Wednesday 23rd February, 7.30pm.

Tullamore, Clara, Ballycumber - Thursday 24th February, 7.30pm.

Laois

Portarlington, Graiguecullen - Tuesday 15th February, 7.30pm.

Portlaoise, Mountrath, Stradbally - Wednesday 2nd March, 7.30pm.

Mountmellick, Rathdowney, Durrow, Abbeyleix - Thursday 3rd March - 7.30pm.

The draft River Basin Management Plan sets out an increased ambition for how water quality is managed in Ireland.

There are 4,842 water bodies in Ireland, organised in 46 catchment areas and 54 % of all waterbodies are considered to be at risk of not meeting Water Framework Directive objectives by 2027.

A number of pressures are impacting water quality including agriculture, hydromorphology (physical changes), urbanisation and waste water treatment.

The draft Plan also takes account of the impacts of climate change on our water and biodiversity.

Launching the consultation, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien said;

"We all recognise the pressures and risks to our water and the draft River Basin Management Plan sets out ambitious plans to make improvements to our water quality. We recognise that more needs to be done, as a matter of urgency. Extensive engagement on this plan is already underway with stakeholders and I am asking the public to make their views count on this important issue.

"Through our digital campaign and in public meetings, we’re asking the public to think about water and how it is used in their daily lives and recreation, but also its role in sustaining communities and in the face of climate change. I’m hoping for a great response to this public consultation and encourage people to get involved..."

Minister of State with responsibility for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan added;

"By getting involved, members of the public will be helping to shape the overall management of Ireland’s rivers, lakes and streams. In recent years, we have made substantial progress in how we manage our water services and how we work together to protect and improve water quality, but challenges remain and we have much more to do.

"By working together, we can develop a pathway to achieve our environmental objectives and deliver the clean waters and healthy freshwater ecosystems that are vital for protecting public health, supporting economic growth and restoring aquatic biodiversity."

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