River Basin Management

Ireland is implementing its third River Basin Management Plan (2022–2027), known as the Water Action Plan.

The River Basin Management Service (formerly the Local Authority Waters Programme) is a Local Authority Shared Service, funded by the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage. The River Basin Management Service works on behalf of Ireland’s 31 local authorities to protect and restore good water quality in our rivers, lakes, estuaries ground and coastal water through catchment science and local community engagement.

More information can be found on their website at: River Basin Management Service - River Basin Management Service

The aim of Ireland’s Water Action Plan 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

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.

Cork City Council’s Action Tracker can be found at the following: 

Further information about water quality can be found here:

Catchments.ie