Rathgormac hosts water quality management meeting to tackle ongoing issues

On Thursday, February 6, the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO), working on behalf of Ireland’s 31 local authorities to protect and restore good water quality, held their quarterly meeting.

The meeting was specifically held on water quality, with it taking place in Rathgormac Community Centre, Co Waterford.

Almost 70 people attended this South East Operational Committee meeting, which is one of five regional committees across Ireland that supports efforts to address the decline in water quality and protect public health.

The event provided the opportunity to discuss and plan these issues in more detail, and in a collective manner. 

Speaking at the meeting, Regional Director in LAWPRO, Dr Fran Igoe said, “The key purpose is to identify what we can do in the here and now, medium term and longer term. There is a lot of activity by agencies and sectors out there working to improve and protect the environment but it needs to be more joined up and mapped out. This is what the public want, based on our recent public consultation on the Water Action Plan launched last year”.

Issues of concern discussed at the meeting included the protection of bathing and shellfish waters, and public health along the Waterford coastline, agriculture across the counties, and actions that Uisce Éireann are undertaking to protect water quality.

The Comeragh mountains and the rivers flowing from them were a significant feature of the meeting as these rivers are the sources of drinking water for Waterford City and surrounding areas. They are also home to unique wildlife, protected under Irish and EU law, such as the Freshwater Pearl Mussel, Atlantic salmon and sea-trout. 

However, water quality and the surrounding habitats have been in decline, with the meeting being designed to focus on this, and double their efforts to enhance protection and restoration.

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Representatives from National Parks and Wildlife, Waterford City and County Council, and LAWPRO gave an account of the current conditions of the rivers and their upland habitats. Representatives from a range of agencies then came together to see where they can access resources and find synergies to improve the situation.

Speaking about the issue Marina Mulligan, Biodiversity Officer noted, “The area is highly sensitive to changes in habitat quality resulting from land use change and increasing tourism. Recent Waterford City and County Council surveys for the Comeragh Mountains Outdoor Recreation Strategy highlighted erosion of peatland habitats along several trails,

"This underscores the need for greater public awareness and action to decrease the human impacts on blanket bog and heathlands, including introduction of invasive species and disturbance to upland birds. Erosion, overgrazing and siltation of rivers in the Comeragh Mountains and the surrounding biodiverse habitats threaten protected wildlife like Hen Harrier,

"Echoing the need for collaboration and as part of the Waterford Biodiversity Action Plan, a pre-draft public consultation will open to gain insights into the perceived threats and opportunities for biodiversity in the area," she concluded.

Uisce Eireann then gave an update on planned upgrades at the Clonea Power wastewater treatment plant and easement of fish passage further downstream. These are major projects and will be a very welcome development in the conservation of Atlantic salmon, as well as Freshwater Pearl Mussel and white clawed crayfish.

Climate action was a key discussion point and although it was recognised that work to restore degraded peat on the mountain is a long-term project, requiring detailed survey work and planning with the local community, it does need to start somewhere. 

Climate Action Officer with the Waterford Council, Cian Gill stated, “Waterford’s Climate Action Plan includes actions to effectively map habitats within the county, with a focus on natural habitats that function as carbon sinks. Peatlands with a high-water table capture carbon dioxide, storing it as carbon in peat. Action for biodiversity gain, improvements of these habitats, and improved waterways are also effective climate action. It is of course extremely positive to engage with so many organisations looking to make improvements to our waterways and landscapes.”

The group then took part in a field trip led by Adam James, Assistant Scientist with Waterford City and County Council, along the River Glasha, starting at the Slate Quarry at Glenpatrick Bridge.

Mr James explained how inter-agency collaboration and working with the farming community was imperative to reduce the risk of pollution to water quality from agriculture, as many of these rivers are also providing drinking water, as well as essential habitats. It is imperative that they are protected.