Waterford is 'Ireland's cleanest city' according to latest IBAL Anti-Litter League survey

Waterford city has retained its high-ranking position and is again Ireland’s cleanest city, according to the latest IBAL Anti-Litter League survey.

According to the An Taisce report, a number of sites secured top ranking and some stood out for various reasons.

These include The Mall (beautifully presented and maintained) and the shopping area of Barrow Street / Broad Street, Viking Triangle / Museum Quarter, Quays / River Walk and Lombard Street / William Street.

According to the report, there was only one heavily littered site - the Bring Bank at Tesco Ardkeen. Improvements were noted in the report at ‘Woodpecker’ site, Apple Market Car Park and the site beside Vee Car Park.

Overall, Waterford city ranked eighth and was categorised as 'Cleaner than European Norms'.

Nationally, two-thirds of towns across Ireland were found to be clean during the survey period, which was up on 2024.

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Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Jason Murphy welcomed the IBAL league results, saying: “This is another great result for Waterford City and for Ballybeg. Consistently, the city has performed outstandingly well in the IBAL Anti-Litter League.

“These results aren’t achieved by chance. It takes a dedicated Local Authority cleansing team, in tandem with an army of volunteer clean up groups, residents’ associations and community and business groups, who have the utmost pride in where they live and work.” 

Ella Ryan, Environmental Awareness Officer with Waterford City and County Council added: “I would like to acknowledge the work of Waterford City and County Council, the numerous volunteer clean-up groups and the local communities for their consistent hard work which year in, year out, never fails to deliver for Waterford City.

“This collaborative approach is clearly working as Waterford has upped its ranking and attained Cleaner than European norms classification – a first for the city.”

Viking Triangle / Museum Quarter which received a 'Grade A' ranking

Nationally, only four areas were branded littered or seriously littered – the lowest number for 5 years. Both Dublin and Cork city centres have improved in advance of the peak season for visitors.  

“It is encouraging to see that our main city centres – Dublin and Cork – have improved as we welcome summer visitors to our country. Clean streets are imperative, given the challenges facing Ireland as a high-cost destination,” said IBAL’s Conor Horgan.

Dublin’s North Inner City, seriously littered, remains rooted to the foot of the rankings.

One year on from the introduction of the Deposit Return Scheme, plastic bottle and can litter is down 50% on previous levels but was still found in 20% of the 500-plus sites surveyed across the country. "We hope that the scheme will see the disappearance of this litter, but statistics so far do not bear this out. Cans and plastic bottles are far from a rare sight on our streets and in our hedgerows," commented Conor Horgan.

The survey found the main streets of towns to be generally clean, as were heritage and amenity sites. Residential areas, bus and train stations and recycle facilities were most likely to be littered.

WHAT THE REPORT NOTES ABOUT WATERFORD CITY

SETU, Cork Road: Grade A. As with many previous IBAL surveys, this site was very much deserving of the top litter grade. New signage looked very well. There was lovely planting throughout and plenty of litter bins at the entrances to the various buildings. There were no visible litter issues throughout an extensive survey.

Cork Road Approach: Grade A. All was in good order along this busy route, with fast moving traffic. There were no visible litter issues throughout.

Newrath Roundabout Approach, R445: Grade B+. Most of this fast-moving route was clear of typical food related items but it was impossible to ignore the industrial plastic wrapping and cardboard and a couple of clothing items.

Waterford Greenway Car Park & Environs: Grade A. .All aspects of this car park environment and the start of the popular Greenway were in very good order e.g. car park signage / dog fouling poop and scoop facility / drinking water fountain / Greenway signage etc. It was excellent with regards to litter.

Gradecieu Heights - 40-70: Grade A. An exceptionally freshly presented residential development with all aspects in very good order e.g. estate signage, grass areas and tree planting. Clearly a wellcared for environment.

Bring Bank, Carrickphierish Road: Grade A. A small 'on-street' facility with five recycle units. The whole environment was absolutely spotless. Unusually, there was no signage associated with the use of the facility but there were no litter issues at all. As the units were 'free-standing' i.e. not flush against any wall, there was no area to hide / stuff items, as so often happens with such Bring Banks.

Cleaboy Business Park: Grade B. The majority of this business park was freshly presented, with nice tree planting and grassy area - all were in very good order and generally the site was very good with regards to casually discarded litter. A lovely feature was the 'coffee cart' with picnic tables and sun umbrellas, both of which were being taken advantage of on a sunny May day. A fence from an adjoining site had fallen into the business park, the contents of which were beginning to impinge upon same, mostly builders' rubble. This will need to be addressed before deteriorating further.

Apple Market Car Park: Grade B. While somebody is claiming 'ownership' of this car park, (by charging for the use of same), they don’t appear to be applying a thorough cleaning regime as there was a definite litter presence around the perimeter. While the levels of litter were not quite as high as previous IBAL surveys, the overall appearance was poor and could easily encourage a careless attitude to prevail.

Site beside Vee Car Park: Grade B. Levels of litter at this site were not quite as high as previous IBAL Surveys, however, there was still a definite presence around the perimeter / at the base of the fencing of this miscellaneous site. Clearly, it needs constant monitoring. There was plenty of 'anti-litter' signage attached to the fence.

Waterford Retail Park: Grade A. A large expanse of retail space with extensive car parking - this was enhanced by regular rows of tree-planting - very welcome in such a vast car park environment. The overall impression was an exceptionally freshly presented retail environment which was very well presented and maintained.

Bring Bank, Tesco, Ardkeen: Grade C. A slight change to this facility is the removal of the clothing units. Many of the bottle units were full / overflowing, with bags of bottles piled up at the base of the units. Cardboard boxes had been 'stuffed' between the units. The overall impression created at this facility was a poor one.

Deposit Return Scheme, Lidl, Ardkeen: Grade A. This in-store facility was completely spotless. There was no liquid on the ground, as sometimes happens at such facilities. Overall, it was excellent.

The Mall: Grade A. Plenty of signage indicates the historic nature and significant of many of the buildings along The Mall. There was no litter associated with the large building which was covered in scaffolding. All aspects of The Mall were in excellent order, not just very good with regards to litter but the overall presentation and maintenance of same e.g. visitor information signage / 3D models / seating etc. and the recent restoration of 'O'Sullivan's' is a wonderful addition to the area.

Woodpecker site: Grade B. The 'For Sale' sign is no longer displayed, and this site appears to be used as a sort of informal car park. Miscellaneous items included pieces of wood, broken signage and some food related items. Overall impression is quite poor, though not as heavily littered as previous IBAL surveys.

Viking Triangle / Museum Quarter: Grade A. The Bishops Palace was covered in scaffolding / associated plastic sheeting - clearly a careful eye is kept on it as there was no litter directly associated with the building works. The lovely planted / paved areas looked very well and there was a very eye-catching sculpture outside the Museum of Time. There was a complete absence of litter throughout this extensive area.

Barronstrand / Broad Street: Grade A. These two adjoining shopping streets are typically top ranking - things were no different this time around, despite plenty of outdoor dining / relaxing in the sun on a warm May afternoon. Lovely opportunities for seating in public realm / covered area. Both sections of this main shopping thoroughfare were very much deserving of the top litter grade.

Quays / Riverwalk: Grade A. A long expanse of riverwalk from The Tower Hotel to the Bridge, some of which has been boarded up for the extensive works taking place along the river. Excellent visitor information signage close to Reginald's Tower. Large planter boxes looked very well, and the William Vincent Wallace Plaza was spotless. There was a virtual absence of litter along the remainder of the length of the riverwalk.

Ferrybank Approach: Grade B. (from Texaco station). The main road surfaces / pavings were clear of litter, any small items were scattered on the grass of the left hand side as one approaches the bridge and over the low wall, just before the roundabout at the bridge. Items were all food related and cigarette butts.

Plunkett / Waterford Train Station: Grade A. All was in good order at this train station. 'Anti-smoking' signage was painted on the ground, directly outside the entrance to the station building. Colourful, illustrative signage 'Past Tracks' looked very well. Planted area / raised flower beds were 'kindly donated by Mount Congreve Estate'.

Bus Eireann, The Quays: Grade A. For many many years, this station has been very much deserving of the top litter grade. Based on the anti-litter signage and notices reminding the public that cigarette butts are litter, clearly it is taken very seriously by those responsible for the management of same. It was spotless throughout - well done to all concerned. As well as regular litter bins, there were 'green' street bins for recyclables - a newish feature at this station.

Lombard Street / William Street: Grade A. There were several derelict / boarded up properties along this stretch, but clearly a careful eye is kept on them as there was no litter directly associated with them. Several signs indicate former residents e.g. Anna Managhan / William Hobson / John Hearne.

People’s Park: Grade A. A real treasure, just minutes from the bustling city centre, this large expanse of park environment was looking very well, with a virtual absence of litter throughout. Features included a café / outdoor dining / picnic tables / playground / skateboard park / playing field etc. A much used and clearly very well respected environment.

Waterford Courthouse – Grounds: Grade A. The grounds of Waterford Court House were beautifully presented and maintained with a complete absence of litter throughout.

City Square Shopping Centre: Grade A. The various entrances and interiors of this city centre shopping centre were completely spotless.

Tramore Approach Road: Grade A. A freshly presented route, creating a positive first impression of Waterford City. There were no visible litter issues. The tree-lined stretch close to Kingfisher Sports Centre looked very well.