Water Action Plan

Ireland is implementing its third River Basin Management Plan (2022–2027), known as the Water Action Plan. The aim is straightforward yet essential: to protect and restore our rivers, lakes, and other natural waters so that they are clean, healthy, and thriving. It is widely acknowledged that this work is an ongoing effort that will continue beyond 2027. This work is part of Ireland’s commitment under the European Union’s Water Framework Directive, ensuring our waters reach a good or high ecological status.

Local authorities are central to delivering the water quality outcomes outlined in the Water Action Plan, covering a wide range of important tasks, including:

  • Protecting the environment through enforcement and monitoring
  • Co‑ordinating and overseeing actions to keep projects on track
  • Assessing catchments to understand the health of our rivers and lakes
  • Managing funding programmes that support local initiatives
  • Helping communities care for their waterways and encouraging local involvement

Together, these efforts ensure that our rivers, lakes, and streams are protected for everyone to enjoy.

Local Authority Action Tracker – to protect and improve water quality

The Local Authority Action Tracker is a county level work tracker that sets out what each local authority is doing to protect and improve water quality in Ireland. These work trackers include the practical actions, outlined in the national Water Action Plan, to help restore rivers, lakes, and streams so that communities can enjoy cleaner, healthier waterways.  The work tracker includes an overview of the governance structures and the statutory functions of local authorities. It also provides contextual information on water quality across the county, examining the key risks, pressures, and impacts.

The work tracker explains the important role local authorities play in protecting our environment and supporting communities and will over time track the implementation of the actions.

In some areas, local authorities will take the lead, for example by:

  • Carrying out river health checks to keep our waters clean
  • Conducting farm inspections to promote sustainable practices
  • Performing septic tank inspections to safeguard drinking water

In other areas, local authorities will work alongside partners, joining working groups and expert teams focused on topics such as:

  • River management
  • Nature based solutions
  • Controlling invasive species
  • Restoring peatlands

Together, these efforts show how local authorities are meeting their responsibilities under the Water Framework Directive while helping to create healthier rivers, stronger ecosystems, and safer communities.

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