Our heritage and history have been shaped by the sea, the rivers, lakes and wetlands so it is our responsibility to ensure we preserve these important natural resources.
If our waterways really are a mirror of society, then we need to look carefully at our reflection and clean up our act.
With much concern over the high levels of pollution in many rivers and lakes, the Local Authorities Water Programme (LAWPRO) believes that involving local communities is one of the best ways to improve water quality in the long term.
In brief, its mission is to co-ordinate the work of local authorities and State agencies to improve and maintain water quality in line with the regulations of the EU Water Framework Directive.
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The core message delivered by LAWPRO community water officers each year in the run up to Water Heritage Day (WHD) is, “by working together and supporting one another, we can learn to appreciate what is around us and to protect it for future generations to enjoy”.
Celebrated in numerous ways, the day includes events that highlight the value of water for recreational, cultural, environmental and economic benefits. These range from boat tours and river walks to marine biodiversity talks and children’s workshops.
Getting children involved in water sampling is one sure way to instil in them the importance of clean water in our rivers, lakes and coastal waters. Cathal Flood, the community water officer for Meath, Westmeath and Longford says that children have an awareness of the responsibilities of local authorities to keep our water clean.
“Water Heritage Day interlinks local heritage of water bodies with the importance of protecting them. It’s about empowering communities to protect their own local rivers and streams,” says Flood.
In Kinnity, Co Offaly, children became custodians of their local river in an effort to reduce pollution in the rivers flowing through the county.
The Tidy Towns group in Milltown Pass, Co Westmeath also did water sampling on the Milltown and Kinnegad Rivers in 2023. And their work – which highlighted high levels of nitrates in the water – has prompted the local council to upgrade the water treatment plant in that area.
Meanwhile, talking to farmers about their memories of swimming and fishing in local rivers is another sure way to rekindle pride in their water catchment and improve efforts to keep it clean. Bringing people out on boats to explore their local waterways is another way to develop pride of place. And, once you have pride in your local area, you are much more likely to protect it in whatever way you can.
In 2023, on Water Heritage Day, an organic farmer and principal of Ballymahon National School in County Longford, Herbert Farrell, brought a group of people on to Inchcleraun Island in the middle of Lough Ree, on the river Shannon, to soak up the local heritage.
Farrell, whose family have owned the island for generations, currently has Droimeann cattle and old Irish Lough Ree goats grazing on the island. Situated in the centre of Lough Ree, the island is accessible by boat from Barley Harbour in Newtowncashel in County Longford.
“The boat trip to the island was hugely positive and we hope to run it again this year,” said Farrell. For many people, it was their first time to visit Inchcleraun (also known as Quaker Island) which has the ruins of St Diarmuid’s monastery on it.
Historically, cereal crops were rotated with grassland on the island and now, Farrell is using a system of conservation grazing to protect the biodiversity rich habitats there. He is also testing the water around the island to check the quality of it.
“The water quality is okay in Lough Ree as it is a special area of conservation,” explains Flood.
However, he believes that giving people the chance to visit places like Inchclearaun highlights the rich history of local places.
“It also highlights how important it is to protect and appreciate this ecological corridor,” says Flood.
Farrell also ran WaterBlitz water sampling events with schoolchildren in 2022, comparing the water quality in the River Inny, the Royal Canal and Lough Ree.
“We discovered that the cleanest water was in the canal because it was a controlled water source. This education for children means that the next generation will be better educated about protecting their local environment,” says Farrell.
Water Heritage Day takes place on Sunday, August 25th. To learn more about what LAWRPO do see lawaters.ie
