Water Quality, Pollution and Conservation

Water Quality

Clean, healthy water is essential for our economy, our aquatic wildlife and for our health and wellbeing.

Uisce Éireann monitor all drinking water supplies and inform the public should their water not be safe to drink. You can check your area's water quality on their website water.ie.

The Environmental Protection Agency monitor waters including rivers, streams, ponds, groundwater, estuarine, tidal and bathing waters. Longford County Council is responsible for protecting our water in County Longford. This work is supported by European and national legislation and includes liaising with neighbouring local authorities. 

Water Pollution

Water pollution can take many forms, including:

• Urban runoff, which includes rainwater, landscape irrigation, car washing and other surface runoff attributable to urbanisation
• Inappropriate discharges to road gullies (for example, the disposal of waste engine oil, washing paint brushes and other DIY equipment into the road gulley)
• Foul network drainage (for example, discharges from combined sewer overflows)
• Misconnections (where appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, sinks, baths, showers and toilets, are plumbed to the rainwater drains)
• Construction activities
• Illegal dumping

Water pollution can directly affect the health, amenity and biodiversity if not managed correctly. You can help to prevent water pollution by making an environmental complaints if you witness water pollution in your area.

Water Conservation

Water covers 71% of the planet but only 1% is available to us as drinking water. And we share this precious resource with every animal and plant on earth. Calculate your daily usage and find out some water saving tips on water.ie.