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A rare window into what lies beneath the water’s surface

Protecting water health is as critical to our heritage as the preservation of buildings and monuments, so it is vital we understand what is in our rivers and lakes

Locals gathered at the Castletown River and Nature Festival, held during National Heritage Week last summer, to learn about lamprey eel, salmon and trout. Photograph: Pedro Souza

Fri Oct 28 2022 - 05:00

Water has been part of our history since records began. The earliest settlers, from saints to Vikings, followed the meandering paths of our rivers and lakes in search of supplies of potable water, and built encampments that have evolved to become many of our major towns and cities.

Water quality remains a key issue today. The Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO), established in 2016 to coordinate all 31 Local Authorities and state agencies, comprises ecologists, scientists and specialists whose roles require them to examine the health of our waters. Their work reflects the opening line of the EU Water Framework Directive: “Water is not a commercial product like any other but, rather, a heritage which must be protected, defended and treated as such.”

These scientists assess our water catchment areas to identify issues and then work with industry, the farming sector and Irish Water to help solve problems that affect quality.

Children sit on the bank waiting to see what the experts fish out of the Ahare River. Photograph: Pedro Souza

Since the EU directive, which identified water as our heritage, LAWPRO have begun a collaboration with the Heritage Council to work with community groups, such as Tidy Towns, environmental and angling groups, as well as Local Authority Heritage Officers. Community officers on the ground work to establish National Heritage Week events, culminating with Water Heritage Day on the final day of the celebration each year, as well as identifying and supporting local initiatives and groups to improve water quality.

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The Ahare River and Biodiversity Development Group helps kids search a kick sample for signs of life at the Castletown River and Nature Festival, held during National Heritage Week. Photograph: Pedro Souza

During the coronavirus pandemic, LAWPRO, in association with the Heritage Council, ran a competition to gather tales, stories and legends of water, its associated wildlife, fishing and heritage. They received almost 500 entries that now have a dedicated website, which will be a valuable resource for future generations.

“Water has been part of our history since records began. The earliest settlers, from saints to Vikings, followed the meandering paths of our rivers and lakes in search of supplies of potable water.”

“In order to protect our rivers, and regenerate the ones that are in trouble, it really needs to be a collaborative effort involving Local Authorities and public bodies, as well as water users and local communities working together,” explains Alan Walsh, communications and marketing lead at LAWPRO.

Leeches are very tolerant to pollutants so are a sign that a river catchment area could be in trouble

At the National Ploughing Championships this year, Walsh and his team had a stand where they explained the process of kick sampling: where a scientist using a net takes up a sample of dislodged material to examine invertebrates. What lies inside the net gives an indication to the health of the river and the mayflies, stoneflies and leeches that often turn up in these samples. “Leeches are a normal (and harmless) part of Irish freshwater ecosystems,” explains Walsh. “They are very tolerant to pollution, whereas other invertebrates such as mayflies and stoneflies are generally more sensitive to pollution, and their presence is indicative of good water quality, whereas large numbers of tolerant species, such as leeches, may indicate more polluted conditions.”

As it stands, about 53 per cent of our rivers are classed as ‘good’, but this means that the remainder need our help.

The entire initiative is akin to a water meitheal effort, where local groups, community officers and some 14 scientists all work to protect our fragile ecosystems.

It’s not just the water either, as flora and fauna also depend on clean water. For instance, the presence of kingfishers and dippers (the emblem used by LAWPRO) are a really good sign, as they signify a very healthy ecosystem.

So how can the public get involved? “Join a local river awareness group or the Tidy Towns,” Walsh counsels, “for clean waterways positively affect our health and local economy.”

One such organisation, the Ahare River and Biodiversity Development Group, held the Castletown River and Nature Festival during National Heritage Week this year. During the event, members of LAWPRO, Inland Fisheries and local community water officers all donned their wellies to show local children and adults some of the marvels that lie beneath the surface of the river at Kilgorman, Co Wexford. Here, lamprey eel and salmon, along with a kick sample of invertebrates from the brown and sea trout-spawning grounds, delighted young and old.

For more information visit lawaters.ie, storiesfromthewaterside.ie, and heritagecouncil.ie

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