This document presents research on approaches to mitigate pollution from the herbicide MCPA (2-methyl-4-chloro-phenoxyacetic acid) in water catchments used as drinking water sources. The research monitored MCPA concentrations spatially and temporally in an agricultural catchment in Ireland that supplies drinking water. Key findings include: MCPA concentrations exceeded drinking water limits and persisted in the system; concentrations increased downstream; and concentrations correlated positively with improved grassland and negatively with rough grazing land use. The research demonstrates the need for enhanced monitoring and questions the sustainability of certain land uses like improved grassland near drinking water sources.

1. Approaches to MCPA pollution mitigation
1
Phoebe A. Morton, 1
Rachel Cassidy, 2
Stewart Floyd, 1
Donnacha G. Doody,
2
W. Colin McRoberts, 3
Philip Jordan
1. Agri-Environment Branch, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, UK
2. Food Research Branch, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, UK
3. School of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, UK
INTRODUCTION
Freshwater occurrences of the selective herbicide 2-methyl-4-
chloro-phenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) are an ongoing regulatory and
financial issue for water utility industries, particularly given recent
increases in detections. Upland surface water catchments in both
Northern Ireland (NI) and Ireland are important drinking water
source areas accounting for over 80% of the supply in Ireland and
99% in NI. In semi-upland agricultural areas of Ireland, MCPA is
used for rush control in spring and summer. This is of concern
because soils supporting soft rush are often prone to saturation
and MCPA is highly soluble and thus mobile, making it very
susceptible to loss from soil surfaces.
Assessments for mitigating herbicide pollution in catchments used
as drinking water sources require a combination of catchment-
based and water treatment solutions, but approaches are limited
by a lack of empirical data.
RESULTS
• 25% of source water samples exceeded the drinking water limit
for treated water of 0.1μgL-1
(Fig. 2).
• MCPA concentrations never fell below the limits of detection,
suggesting persistence in the soil-water system (Fig. 2).
• MCPA concentrations increased from the headwaters to the
abstraction point (Fig. 3)
• The distribution of MCPA concentrations was highly positively
correlated with Improved Grassland and highly negatively
correlated to Rough Grazing (Fig. 4).
• Scenario testing using periods of summer rising river discharge
and soil moisture data indicated high risk periods for the presence
of MCPA.
IMPLICATIONS
This research demonstrates the benefits of using enhanced
monitoring approaches for highly mobile pollutants such as
MCPA in source water catchments, including reduced burdens
for drinking water treatment and supply. However, the results also
question the sustainability of certain land uses, in particular where
Improved Grassland is competing with drinking water supplies
since it appears from data presented here to be the main source
of MCPA to water bodies. Identifying ecosystem services, such
as water purification, water regulation, carbon sequestration and
biodiversity from agricultural land uses (e.g. Rough Grazing), and
balancing these against optimising food production is a debate
that is urgently required in drinking water source catchments.
SPATIAL SAMPLING AND LAND USE ASSESSMENT
To reduce pollution transfer events from land to water in source
catchments, an understanding of where the contaminants are
originating from is needed. Spatial sampling was carried out on a
weekly basis at 11 locations in the cross-border Derg catchment
(LM and D1-D10; Fig. 1).
Land use types were identified from aerial imagery and classified
as Improved Grassland (fertilised productive pasture and meadow),
Extensive Grassland (low input pasture where rush growth is
common), Rough Grazing (poor quality pasture used primarily
for sheep and boggy ground with dense rush or scrub cover) and
Arable.
Figure 1: Spatial monitoring points (LM, D-1 to D-10) in the Derg River catchment. The drinking
water abstraction point is also the catchment outflow and the location of the temporal sampling.
TEMPORAL SAMPLING AND SIMULATIONS
Water-treatment methods require a detailed understanding of when
pollution issues are mostly occurring, but this is difficult for pesticides
as real-time monitoring is not currently available. Proxies can be used
to model these high-risk occasions and five scenarios were investigated
using hydrometeorological data. To aid with risk assessment planning, the
scenarios were compared with the time MCPA was above the concentration
thresholds at the Derg water abstraction point. Samples for MCPA analysis
were collected every 7 hours over a 12 month period.
Figure 3: Weekly spatial
data of MCPA concentra-
tions from the Derg River
sub-catchments indicating
upstream areas for prior-
ity mitigation – i.e. those
areas with concentrations
regularly over the 0.1 μg/l
threshold (dashed line).
Limit of Detection (LOD)
shown in solid black line.
Points below the line were
below LOD and have been
displayed as half LOD.
Note log scale on the left
y-axis..
Fig. 2. Concentration of MCPA in the River Derg at the catchment outlet and abstraction point, the River
Derg discharge 7 km upstream of the monitoring point at Castlederg, and Malin Head daily rainfall between
27/04/18 and 30/04/19. Note log scale on the left y-axis.
Figure 4. Higher MCPA concen-
trations were highly correlated
with land use.
For more information, see Open Access paper by Morton et al. (2021)
Designed by Caitlin Kennedy, The Rivers Trust
www.sourcetotap.eu
LAND INCENTIVE SCHEME
The cross-border Source to Tap project (www.sourcetotap.eu) has been
piloting a Land Incentive Scheme in the Derg catchment. The scheme
offers farmers 100% grant funding to change their land management
practices, with the aim of reducing pesticide pollution and benefitting farm
businesses. In collaboration with Project Officers, a Water Environment
Management Plan is produced with recommended measures that include
weed wiping and installation of pesticide storage units.

2. A Framework for Catchment-based Digitally
Integrated Industrial Water Stewardship
Ken Stockil
Principal Investigator
This project is funded under the EPA Research Programme 2014-2020. The EPA Research Programme is a Government of Ireland initiative
funded by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. It is administered by the Environmental Protection Agency,
which has the statutory function of co-ordinating and promoting environmental research
Research Context
Industrial activity in Ireland accounts for over 70% of national daily water consumption. As water use is
projected to grow in Ireland due to increasing population and industrial activity, coupled with potential
water scarcity issues resulting from changes in the hydrological cycle due to climate change, it is pertinent
that this valuable resource is managed appropriately. Currently there are gaps in terms of adequate
monitoring and control of water at individual organisations and at a catchment level in Ireland.
Ireland along with Germany, have been identified as the forerunners to take advantage of Industry 4.0
opportunities including the nascent Industrial Water 4.0 component and is therefore well placed to be a
leader in the research and development of Industrial Water 4.0 and the digitisation of industrial water
stewardship internationally.
This research builds on recent research carried out by Central Solutions culminating in an EPA Research
Report (2016-W-DS-25), “A National Roadmap for Water Stewardship Leadership in Industry and
Agriculture in Ireland”. Central Solutions actively participates in the EWS and AWS standards initiatives
globally as both a member of the standards development technical committee (EWS) and implementation
partner.
Project
Background
Research Objectives
The project is aimed at providing important baseline research
for Irish engagement in Industrial Water 4.0 by
Dr. Thomas Track
Principal Investigator
Research
Team
Andres Lucht
MSc
Colm Gaskin
BBS, MSc
Paul Conheady
Beng, MEng
Ellen Roche
BBS
Dr. Anna Trubetskaya
Beng, MSc, PhD
Dr. William Horan
BSc, PhD
Mischa Schmerer
BSc
Cliodna Colbert
BSc
Developing a
framework for the
digitisation of
industrial water
management and
stewardship
Tight integration
with digitisation of
industrial production
Tying-in to digitised
municipal water
management (supply
& wastewater
treatment including
water resource
management at the
catchment level)
“DISCLAIMER: Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the material contained in this poster, complete accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Neither the Environmental Protection Agency
nor the authors accept any responsibility whatsoever for loss or damage occasioned or claimed to have been occasioned, in part or in full, as a consequence of any person acting or refraining from acting,
as a result of a matter contained in this poster.”
Research
Focus
Outputs
Collaboration
Horizontal and Vertical Integration for
Water Stewardship
Water Stewardship by its very nature requires streamlined interfaces both within
industrial sites and more generally between municipal supply, industry users and
environmental regulators. In particular, it requires greater integration of data sources
and information flows across the water lifecycle in the context of Water Framework
Directive and River Basin Management Plans (figure 1). The achievement of such
integration presents significant data management and organisational challenges.
Industrial Water Management also presents significant vertical integration challenges
at industrial and municipal water sites to ensure interconnectivity from meter and
sensor level devices to communication gateways to control systems to higher level
management systems. Addressing issues around the introduction of open data
protocols, integration of legacy systems, vendor and procurement management and
data modelling are of paramount importance and require significant investment and
effort. Figure 1: Horizontal digital integration across the water catchment (left) and vertical digital integration on-site (right).
Expected Outputs from Project
The main outputs will contribute to building capability in the Water 4.0 domain
and in particular its application to the industrial water lifecycle at the catchment
level through the production of envisioning case examples of Industrial Water 4.0
and its impact on key industries in Ireland. The capacity building aspect of this
research proposal is vital for building Ireland Intellectual expertise, as well as for
increasing Irish researchers’ participation in competitive international
programmes (e.g. Horizon Europe, LIFE+, Water JPI etc.). Standardised
methodologies and tools will be developed to guide industrial water management
and identify resource efficiency opportunities. These outputs will include:
• Framework and Guideline for Industrial Water 4.0 (figure 3)
• Development of a water data model.
• Assessment of a current and future state mapping (figure 2)
• Development and application of an associated true cost of water model for the
industrial water lifecycle
Collaboration Across Large Water Users Community of
Practice
Ireland is well placed to lead the industrial water digitalisation transition through its large water users, which can act as
living laboratories to accelerate experimentation and deployment of Industry Water 4.0 solutions. The EPA funded Large
Water Users Community of Practice (figure 4) has been instrumental in positioning Ireland as a leader in water
stewardship, with three Irish industrial sites (ABP Food Group, Wyeth Nutrition and ThermoFisher Scientific) key
partners in this project.
Figure 3: Audience for Industrial Water 4.0 Framework
and Guideline
Figure 2: Current state water mapping.
Figure 4: Attributes of the Large Water Users Community of Practice.

3. The LIFE Programme is the only dedicated EU funding
instrument for Environment, Nature Conservation and
Climate action. Two primary areas for applications are
‘traditional’ projects which are smaller in scale (typically
with an EU contribution between €500,000 and €1.5
million over 3-5 years) and focused on the priority areas,
and Integrated Projects which are larger in scale and
focused on implementation of national plans and
programmes.
Since the launch of the LIFE Programme in 1992, 64
traditional projects led by Irish organisations have been
funded, as well as 3 Integrated Projects in the areas of
Nature, Water and Climate. Examples of successful
projects are provided below.
Any legal persons registered in the EU are eligible to
apply.
LIFE Programme 2021-2027
The European Commission is increasing LIFE
Programme funding by almost 60% for the period
2021-2027, with a total indicative budget of €5.432
billion. LIFE will also expand into four new
sub-programmes: nature and biodiversity, circular
economy and quality of life, climate change mitigation
and adaptation, and clean energy transition.
Nature and Biodiversity: This sub-programme will aim
at the protection and restoration of Europe’s nature and
halting and reversing biodiversity loss. Thus, it will
continue to fund nature conservation projects, in
particular in the areas of biodiversity, habitats and
species.
Climate change mitigation and adaptation: Cutting
greenhouse gas emissions, increasing climate change
resilience and boosting awareness of climate change
mitigation will remain top priorities under this
sub-programme.
Circular economy and quality of life: LIFE projects
under this sub-programme will develop technologies
and solutions to enhance the circular economy. Projects
include the recovery of resources from waste, and
others on water, air, noise, soil and chemical
management as well as environmental governance.
These support the EU’s Circular Economy Action Plan.
Clean energy transition: This new sub-programme will
fund LIFE projects devoted to energy efficiency and
small-scale renewables to support the Clean energy for
all Europeans package. It will ease the transition
towards an energy-efficient, renewable energy-based,
climate-neutral and resilient economy, and aims to
remove the market barriers that can hamper the
socio-economic transition to sustainable energy.
Provisional timeline for 2021 project
proposals
For more information, please visit the Commission’s
LIFE website, or get in touch with the National Contact
Point at LIFE@decc.gov.ie.
Text and image credit: European Commission
LIFE EcoSens Aquamonitrix - Enhanced
Portable Sensor for Water Quality
Monitoring, moving to genuinely
integrated Water Resource
Management.
Project website:
www.ecosensaquamonitrix.eu
Aquamonitrix® website:
aquamonitrix.com
Contact email:
Sandra Lacey - slacey@tellab.ie
This is a ‘traditional’ project. A proposal for this type of
projects may be submitted by any legal person registered
in the European Union.
Project Summary
The Life EcoSens Aquamonitrix project aimed to
demonstrate a cost effective portable water monitoring
solution for the Water sector. The innovative technology,
at a competitive cost allows increased frequency of water
quality monitoring (concentrating on nutrients: nitrite
and nitrate) with remote real time access to the device
and to results. This affordable solution results in more
monitoring, making it easier for management decisions
and compliance with regulations. Moreover, its efficient
and robust design allows longer deployment periods,
diminishing maintenance needs, providing an integrated
monitoring solution that is cost effective.
This project was able to demonstrate an innovative water
quality monitoring device in different environments and
climates. The EcoSens Aquamonitrix novel solution is a
device designed for water companies and water
authorities as well as regulatory authorities, with the aim
of improving their control of water resources, water
quality and facilitate and improve efficiency and
management decisions.
The project ran from 2 July 2018 until 31 March 2021
and the main output from this Close-to-market project
was the market launch of the commercial Aquamonitrix®
nitrate/nitrite analyser at the end of the project, with an
online webinar on 25 March 2021.
Manufacture of prototypes for the
demonstration sites
LIFE-IP Waters of Life - Protect and
restore high ecological status
waterbodies in Ireland
Coordinating beneficiary:
Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage
Contact email:
Donal Grant, Donal.Grant@housing.gov.ie
The Waters of Life project is an Integrated Project (IP). IPs
were introduced during the 2014-2020 LIFE Programme
in order to increase impact and help implement
large-scale plans or strategies such as the Prioritised
Action Framework, River Basin Management Plan, or
Climate Mitigation or Adaptation Plans. While other LIFE
project proposals may be submitted by any legal person
registered in the European Union, in the case of IPs it is
strongly recommended that the competent authority or
entity responsible for the implementation of the plan or
strategy targeted by the IP submits the application.
Background
The loss of high-status waters has been identified as an
important issue within Ireland and across Europe. The
protection and restoration of these waters is one of the
underpinning principles of the Water Framework
Directive (WFD) which is recognised, with appropriate
commitments, within Ireland’s second cycle River Basin
Management Plan (RBMP).
The RBMP for Ireland 2018-2021 was published in April
2018 and sets out the measures to be implemented by
2021 to protect and improve the status of water bodies in
the Irish River Basin District. This covers an area of 70
273 km and includes 140 designated bathing waters, 64
shellfish growing waters, 42 nutrient sensitive areas, and
358 Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and 154 Special
Protection Areas (SPAs) within the Natura 2000 network.
Objectives
The overall objective of LIFE-IP Waters of Life is to
support the implementation of measures to protect and
enhance high-status waters. Waters of Life will operate
as a stand-alone project but will work in close
co-operation with other RBMP work, i.e. the Blue Dot
Catchment Programme, as outlined in the RBMP for
Ireland 2018-2021.
The Waters of LIFE IP will act as a catchment-scale
(120-130km ) demonstration project to test and validate
the effectiveness of implementing locally-tailored best
practice measures across a range of landscape and
land-use management activities typically associated with
the catchments of high-status waters.
The project is scheduled to run for 7 years (2019-2026) in
2 phases:
-Phase1:(2years)coversprojectestablishment,
characterisationandcatchmentselection.
-Phase2:(5years)coverstheimplementationofmeasures,
monitoringandreporting.
Expected results
Following implementation, it is expected that Ireland
would successfully reverse the trend in the decline of
high-status water bodies, with no deterioration in water
quality due to interventions shown during water
sampling.
The EU Life Programme
Start of Manufacture in January 2019
at TelLab, Ireland
Prototypes at the Demonstration Sites
On site in Haapavesi WWTP, Finland
Final Design of Aquamonitrix®
Nitrate /Nitrite Analyser
2
2

4. ➢Water quality
(drinking and non-drinking)
➢... and its regulation
➢Wildlife value
(indicator species)
➢Angling value
➢Organic matter pollution
(sewage, slurry)
➢Nutrients pollution
(fertilisers, treated sewage)
➢Siltation
(land disturbance)
➢Clearance of bankside
vegetation
(competing land uses)
Bayesian Belief Network
Linking human pressures to Ecosystem Services
Riparian Shading,
Growing Season
Climate
Flow
Regime
Water
Temperature,
Summer
Sediment
Load
Deposited
Sediment
Phosphate
Nitrate
Ammonia,
Total
Inorganic
Nitrogen
(non-OM)
Inorganic
Nutrients
Organic
Matter
(BOD)
Nutrient
Excess
Filamentous
Algae Cover
Habitat
Quality
(RHAT)
Alkalinity
Algal Biofilm
Abundance
Ammonia,
Unionised
E-Coli
Abundance
Oxygen
Saturation,
Summer
Nutrient
Assimilation
Algal Scum
Cover
Mayfly Richness
(Wildlife Value)
EPT
Invertebrates
Density
Dipper Density
(Wildlife Value)
Coarse Fish
Presence
Coarse
Fish
Density
Salmon
Density
Trout
Density
Abstraction
Water Quality
Recreational
Water Quality
Trout
Condition
Salmon
Condition
Salmon
Angling
Trout
Angling
Salmonid
Angling
Potential
!!
!!
!!
General predictions:
Sensitivity of Ecosystem Services to
environmental conditions
Interactive web interface (in testing)
...
(GeNIe v2.4)
Catchment-specific predictions:
Changes in Ecosystem Services relative to the current state
Case-studies
Ecosystem service-based
decision-support tool
for river basin management penkm@tcd.ie
Marcin Penk, Michael Bruen, Jeremy Piggott, Mike Christie,
Christian K. Feld, Jasper Kenter, Craig Bullock, Mary Kelly-Quinn
@ESDecideProj
http://www/ucd.esdecide
This presentation and project are funded as part of the EPA Research Programme 2021–
2030. The EPA Research Programme is a Government of Ireland initiative funded by the
Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. It is administered by the
Environmental Protection Agency, which has the statutory function of co-ordinating and
promoting environmental research.
◦ e.g. reduced phosphate
© Ruth Little
Aim and approach:
• The ESDecide project has built a decision-support tool to
enable end users to consider ecosystem services in river
resource management.
• At the heart of our tool is a Bayesian Belief Network
(BBN) model. We’ve analysed data from national
monitoring and we’ve gathered information from scientific
literature and experts. We then used this knowledge to
link pressures from human activities, such as siltation,
organic pollution or removal of bankside vegetation with a
range of benefits (Ecosystem Services) that the society
derives from rivers, such as good water quality for drinking
and recreation, angling, or wildlife value.
• A web interface has been designed that allows end users
to interactively access the tool via standard web browsers
for our three case study catchments: Moy, Dodder and
Suir. Users can manipulate environmental conditions and
observe the modelled negative and positive effects on
Ecosystem Services in a bar chart. Further information is
provided in the tool on each of our ecosystem service
metrics, key risks and management options.
◦ e.g. Recreational Water Quality
Background maps: OpenStreetMap
Shapefiles adapted from gis.epa.ie

5. DISCLAIMER: Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the material contained in this poster, complete
accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Neither the Environmental Protection Agency nor the authors accept any responsibility
whatsoever for loss or damage occasioned or claimed to have been occasioned, in part or in full, as a consequence of any person
acting or refraining from acting, as a result of a matter contained in this poster.
Research Programme on Experimental Governance
with regard to Ireland’s Water Governance Structures and Processes
The Environmental Protection Agency has commissioned the Institute of Public Administration to carry
out a two-year research programme relating to Ireland’s water governance structures and processes.
The research programme comprises two main elements:
1. Learning lessons from current experience with regard to the operation of water governance
structures and processes to inform the development of the Third-Cycle River Basin
Management Plan 2022-2027. This will enhance the evidence base, which in turn will support
the evolving governance arrangements.
2. Drawing out wider learning from the study of water governance of relevance to the
development of policy and practice in other areas of policy and public service reform.
To date, four reports have been published as a result of this collaboration.
1. Using the OECD Water Governance Indicator Framework to Review the Implementation of the
River Basin Management Plan for Ireland 2018–2021
2. Using an Experimental Governance Lens to Examine Governance of the River Basin
Management Plan for Ireland 2018–2021
3. An Fóram Uisce (The Water Forum) as an Example of Stakeholder Engagement in Governance
4. Case Studies on Local Catchment Groups in Ireland, 2018-2020
Background:
The governance of water can be understood as a ‘wicked problem’. One which too often defies
solution because of numerous uncertainties, vast interdependencies, and disparate conflicting
stakeholders. In response, Ireland created a new governance structure for water governance. This
includes a new three-tier structure: a Water Policy Advisory Committee (WPAC) supported by a Water
Forum; a layer of technical support provided by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); and local
level structures, which are supported by the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO).
Research aims:
The challenge of improving water quality in Ireland is a complex problem requiring wide-ranging
solutions. The research programme aims to analyse water governance through different lenses to
support the policy response. Moreover, the research is directed at drawing out wider learning from
the study of water governance which is of relevance to the development of policy and practice in other
areas of public reform – particularly ‘wicked’ issues within public policy.
Further information:
For further information, please contact the programme coordinator, Joanna O’Riordan at
joriordan@ipa.ie
Acknowledgment:
This report is published as part of the EPA Research Programme 2021–2030. The EPA Research
Programme is a Government of Ireland initiative funded by the Department of the Environment,
Climate and Communications. It is administered by the Environmental Protection Agency, which has
the statutory function of co-ordinating and promoting environmental research.

6. Metabarcoding benthic biofilms
- Summer samples across the country
- Seasonal samples from 2 sites
WP2 Seascape genetics in Irish Laminaria hyperborea.
We use population genetics approach to assess regions of
high genetic diversity in L. hyperborea forests across the
country to support conservation of more diverse sites.
Theoretically higher allelic richness and novel alleles will
infer greater resilience to stressors in these populations.
Figure 2. Laminaria hyperborea forests that have
been sampled for population genetics studies
from 2018 to present day, using multiple
collections methods.
Figure 3. DAPC scatterplots with A) 3 a priori regions (gold: Donegal;
maroon: Galway and Clare; red: Cork); B) 5 a priori regions (gold:
Donegal; maroon: Galway; pink: NQ in Galway; blue: Clare; red: Cork)
created with adegenet in R. From Schoenrock et al. (2020) European
Journal of Phycology.
The diversity and resilience of kelp ecosystems in Ireland
Kathryn M. Schoenrock, Kenan M. Chan, Tony O’Callaghan, Rory O’Callaghan, Stacy Krueger-
Hadfield, Aaron Golden, and Anne Marie Power
@Kelp_Res, Kathryn.schoenrock@nuigalway.ie
WP1 Historical distribution of Irish kelp forests
(Laminaria hyperborea).
Kelp has been recorded nation wide for hundreds of
years in various ways, but records of Laminaria
hyperborea with georeferenced locations date back
only to 1913. While kelp are prevalent on south,
west and north coasts of Ireland there is very little
metadata indicating what state the kelp is in (e.g.
wrack or in situ), and very few kelp sites are
repeatedly recorded (max 6 years recorded). This
gives very little insight into presence and state of
kelp forest ecosystems and whether they have
shifted distribution over time.
Schoenrock et al. (2020). Ecology and Evolution.
DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6345
WP4 Future monitoring and mapping kelp forest populations in Ireland.
Citizen science Remote Sensing
Dive slate available online to record Planetscope data combined with GSI/MI
abundance of key species in kelp forests. bathymetry
Figure 1. Records of Laminaria hyperborea forests
along Ireland’s coastline over the past century.
a) b)
2018-W-MS-35 is funded under the EPA Research Programme 2014-2020. The EPA
Research Programme is a Government of Ireland initiative funded by the
Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment. Research was
also supported by the UAB start up fund to S. Krueger-Hadfield.
Figure 4. In situ year long experiments a) collected kelp propagules on microscope slides seasonally and annually at b) two
sites, Carraore and Derrynane, across a gradient of kelp coverage and depth.
Figure 5. Aquarium growth experiment
WP3 Banks of microscopic kelp stages
a) b)

7. Assessment of the extent and impact of barriers on freshwater
hydromorphology and connectivity in Ireland
Mary Kelly-Quinn1, Siobhán Atkinson1, Michael Bruen2, Jonathan Turner3, Jens Carlsson1, Bernie Ball1, Craig Bullock4, John O’ Sullivan2, Colm Casserly3, School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College
Dublin / UCD Earth Institute
1. School of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, University College Dublin / UCD Earth Institute
2. School of Geography, University College Dublin
3. School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy, University College Dublin
Corresponding author: mary.kelly-quinn@ucd.ie
Fig. 1: Location of core study areas.
Acknowledgements: This project was completed as part of the EPA Research Programme 2021–2030. The EPA Research Programme is a Government of Ireland initiative funded by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. It is administered by the Environmental Protection Agency, which has
the statutory function of co- ordinating and promoting environmental research. The authors would like to thank everyone who has helped with this project so far including all the interns who assisted with both laboratory work and fieldwork, and members of the Freshwater Ecology laboratory in UCD. We are grateful
to Inland Fisheries Ireland for providing data on the known locations of barriers in Ireland. For more information see our website: http://www.ucd.ie/reconnect/. DISCLAIMER: Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the material contained in this poster, complete accuracy cannot
be guaranteed. Neither the Environmental Protection Agency nor the authors accept any responsibility whatsoever for loss or damage occasioned or claimed to have been occasioned, in part or in full, as a consequence of any person acting or refraining from acting, as a result of a matter contained in this poster.
Assessment of desk-based mapping
techniques to locate barriers. Undertake
mapping and characterisation of barriers in a
number of catchments and produce a geo-referenced map layer.
Assessment of the impact of barriers on fish & macroinvertebrates
Testing the feasibility of using environmental DNA (eDNA) to assess the
potential impact of barriers on fish and invertebrate movement
Characterisation of the hydromorphological context for barrier
emplacement & evaluation of tools to predict the effects of barriers on
hydromorphology
Economic analysis of the impact of barrier removal
Production of a validated multi-criteria decision-support tool for
prioritising the selection of barriers for modification or removal
Project Objectives
Potential Impact on Aquatic Biota
Reconnect
The Reconnect project has been completed by a team of
researchers from University College Dublin. The overall objective
of the project was to harness the scientific knowledge base for
developing a validated methodology for prioritising the selection
of river barriers for modification or removal to improve
hydromorphology and connectivity in Irish freshwater systems.
The project was particularly focussed on low-head structures
(weir, bridge apron, culvert) in the river channel which
were built to regulate flow for a variety of purposes but
which have the potential to prevent or delay the up-
or down-stream movement of aquatic organisms,
organic and inorganic material, as well as modifying
the habitat of aquatic biota. The investigations
were concentrated on 4 core area (see Fig. 1)
but additional research was carried out at
35 non-core sites.
Fig. 2: Location of the 10 sub-catchments
surveyed for barriers.
We used satellite imagery, discovery
series maps and historic maps to locate
river barriers. The desk study proved to
be efficient and effective method of
locating river barriers to help focus field
surveys in ten sub-catchments (Fig. 2).
Numbers of barriers in these catchments
ranged from 1 to 189 (River Dodder).
Barriers associated with road crossings
were typically concentrated in the
headwaters whereas weirs were more
common further downstream (Fig. 3).
Locating River Barriers
Barriers and Implications for Hydromorphology
Environmental DNA (eDNA) samples
are water samples that contain DNA
from organisms inhabiting the river.
Assays for Atlantic salmon, allis and
twaite shad, sea lamprey and white-
clawed crayfish were successfully
deployed and demonstrated the
potential of deploying species
specific assays to detect presence of
target species and assess the impact
of barriers on their distribution.
eDNA as a Tool to Detect
Impact of Barriers
Types of Barriers
The hydromorphological (hymo) implications of barriers were investigated at three of the four core sites, through baseline hymo audits
using RHAT and MoRPH surveys, assessment of bedload and suspended sediment connectivity, and a before-after-control-impact (BACI)
study of channel adjustment at the Browns Beck Brook core study site. RFID-tagging of bed sediment showed that the full particle range
can pass over barrier structures (Fig. 6), but a comparison of fractional transport rates revealed continued supply-limited conditions
downstream (Casserly et al., 2020). High resolution monitoring of turbidity (as a surrogate for suspended sediment) revealed that
sediment temporarily stored behind barrier structures can become an important source of fine sediment during the passage of a flood
wave (Casserly et al., 2021). Assessment of morphodynamics before and after barrier removal showed a steepening of channel gradient
upstream, resulting in the rapid (<2-year) re-establishment of a more natural channel slope and a marginal increase in habitat complexity.
However, lateral bank instability while relatively localised presented implications for the loss of adjacent grazing farmland at this site.
Fig. 6: Spatial distribution of tracer
movement over the structures on
the (a) Dalligan and (b) Duag. Initial
triad seeding positions (yellow
triangles) and final recovery
positions (red circles) are indicated.
(adapted from Casserly et al., 2020)
Casserly, C. M., Turner, J. N., O'Sullivan, J. J.,
Bruen, M., Bullock, C., Atkinson, S., & Kelly-
Quinn, M. (2020). Impact of low-head dams on
bedload transport rates in coarse-bedded streams.
Science of the Total Environment, 716.
doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.136908
Macroinvertebrate communities in impounded reaches were
similar to natural pools and generally significantly different to
riffle habitats especially in terms of community structure, taxon
richness and particularly Ephemeroptera/Plecoptera/
Trichoptera (EPT) richness. In effect, the impounded reaches
are, as expected, creating elongated pool habitat.
Salmon were absent from the Dalligan River. Trout and salmon
fry were generally absent from or in low densities in
impounded reaches. In some sites 1+ trout numbers were also
lower in the impounded reaches.
The removal of a ford (Fig. 4 ) on Brown’s Beck Brook,
Co. Wicklow resulted in improved numbers of
salmon fry upstream (See Fig. 5). Modification of
the weir on the Burren River in Carlow
resulted in higher number of ≥1+ trout
and salmon parr upstream of the
former weir.
Fig. 3: The total number of barrier types per stream order
across all sub-catchments.
Fig. 4: Ford crossing on Browns
Beck Brook before and after
removal of a ford in 2019.
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
BBB-DS BBB-US BBB-FUS2
Density
(Nos./m
2
)
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Fig. 5: Density of salmon fry at sites on Browns
Beck Brook. The impounded reach BBB-US was
eliminated following removal of the ford in July
2019). BBB-FUS2 is further upstream.

8. https://data-spy.com/
@PurifySense_ie DISCLAIMER: Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the material contained in this
poster, complete accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Neither the Environmental Protection Agency nor the
authors accept any responsibility whatsoever for loss or damage occasioned or claimed to have been
occasioned, in part or in full, as a consequence of any person acting or refraining from acting, as a result of a
matter contained in this poster..
Sense and Purify : Wireless Electrochemical
Destruction of Recalcitrant Organics
The “Sense and Purify” (SPy) technology allows organic molecules and
pathogens, that cannot be easily destroyed using conventional wastewater
treatments, to be mineralised to carbon dioxide, ammonia and water. It
does this by generating a high concentration of the powerful oxidising
agent, hydroxyl radicals, throughout a water sample volume with very high
electrical efficiency. The active agent has no persistent toxicity (radical
lifetime is 5 µs), causes no residue and causes no secondary pollution. It
can be implemented at source, is highly mobile/portable, is low cost, has a
high throughput, ensures optimised water quality for a given application
through sensing/analysis of the inlet and outlet streams, is energy efficient,
environmentally friendly, broadly applicable to a wide range of waste
streams (from microalgae farms to industry and municipal waste) and has
low Capex and Opex.
Angelo R. Favaro Pipi, Bacem Zribi, Loanda R. Cumba, Robert J. Forster
School of Chemical Sciences, National Centre for Sensor Research, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9
Robert.Forster@mail.dcu.ie
RESULTS
APPROACH
INTRODUCTION
LOW-COST DISPOSABLE SCREEN PRINTED SENSORS
C Au
INTEGRATED REACTOR
HIGHLY SENSITIVE DETECTION OF E. COLI USING AN
ELECTROCHEMILUMINESCENT SANDWICH ASSAY
RESULTS
.
Au
C
OBJECTIVE 1 Sensors For Wastewater. Rapidly responding, low cost, highly sensitive
sensors for pathogens and recalcitrant organics such as pharmaceuticals and herbicides.
OBJECTIVE 2 Diamond Particles For Wastewater Treatment. Conversion of cellular and
organic pollutants to CO2, NH3 and H2O.
OBJECTIVE 4 Real World Wastewater Testing. Testing using water samples from the food
and pharmaceutical industries as well as municipal drinking water and sanitation.
OBJECTIVE 3 Integrated Reactor. 3D printing/additive manufacturing, to create a reactor
capable of testing and treating 10 litres of wastewater per hour.
REAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT
The SPy technology can quickly
decompose recalcitrant organics,
such as the cancer
chemotherapeutic doxorubicin.
ELECTRODE
Cyclic voltammograms of a 5 mM solution of ferrocene methanol at a SPy Screen Printed
Electrode. The scan rates, from top to bottom, are 500, 400, 300, 100, 50, 40, 20 and 10
mV s-1, respectively. The open triangles and open circles are theoretical fits.
SELECTION OF BORON DOPED DIAMOND ELECTRODE
UV-VIS MONITORING OF API DESTRUCTION
Dependence of electrochemical response on boron doping level.
RESEARCH ACKNOWLEDGMENT:
“ This report is published as part of the EPA Research Programme 2021–2030. The EPA Research Programme is a
Government of Ireland initiative funded by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. It
is administered by the Environmental Protection Agency, which has the statutory function of co- ordinating and
promoting environmental research.”

9. Specific Management and Robust Targeting of Riparian
buffer zones: SMARTER_BufferZ
D Ó hUallacháin*1, S Parker1, N Baggaley2, P-E Mellander1, M
Wilkinson2, A Lilly2, F Costa1, M Stutter2
1Teagasc, Johnstown Castle, Wexford, Ireland.2The James Hutton Institute, Aberdeen, AB15 8QH, UK
Daire.ohuallachain@teagasc.ie @SMARTER_BufferZ www.smarterbufferz.ie
Background
Riparian buffer zones are patches of land adjacent to
watercourses, removed from intensive production. Despite
widespread implementation, uncertainties remain in
relation to the optimal design and management to support
the delivery of multiple ecosystem services and to enhance
the quality of watercourses.
Impact:
Information from this study will facilitate policy-makers to
target the most cost-effective riparian management
measures to support the delivery of multiple ecosystem
services and in particular help surface waters achieve
Water Framework Directive targets.
SMARTER_BufferZ will contribute to environmental policy
and to improved management of agricultural and surface
water landscapes in Ireland.
Acknowledgements: This project is funded by the EPA Research
Programme 2014-2020. The EPA Research Programme is a
Government of Ireland initiative funded by the Department of
Communications, Climate Action and Environment.
Right Measure: Right Place (from
SMARTER_BufferZ is developing tools to ensure that the
right measure is in the right place, including:
• Hillslope Identification Tool
• Erosion tools
• Catchment StoryMaps
• Information videos
Thomas et al. (2016) STOTEN
Figure 1: Image highlighting overland flow and
proposed ‘Right place’ (blue dots)
Figure 3: Right measure; right place
Figure 2: Right place, wrong measure
Databases are being collated on:
• Buffer effectiveness
• Factors influencing effectiveness
Scan QR codes for further information
Link to secure website

10. Catharine Pschenyckyj | Joanna Clark | Liz Shaw | Chris Evans | Rob Griffiths
Insert your unit name via
View > Slide Master
Contact information
For more information: Dr Florence Renou-Wilson Florence.Renou@ucd.ie or Dr Cat Pschenyckyj Cat.Pschenyckyj@ucd.ie
SWAMP: Strategies to improve Water
quality from Managed Peatlands
Pschenyckyj, C. and Renou-Wilson, F.
Project Aim
The SWAMP project aims to investigate the pressures on
Irish waters from drained/extracted peatlands and develop
mitigation measures in order to protect water quality from
pollutants such as Dissolved Organic Carbon and Ammonia
This will improve our understanding of the extent and
status of mitigation measures in the peat extraction sector,
how to minimise potential impacts and capitalise on the
full range of ecosystem services provided by peatlands.
.
Background
There is widespread evidence that drained peatlands used
for peat extraction can negatively affect the delivery of
water related ecosystem services.
Solutions are urgently required to satisfy not only Ireland’s
international commitments with regards to EU laws but for
climate change and sustainability demands.
Sites
River/stream water and aquatic biota are sampled from within,
upstream and downstream of bogs with contrasting health
status e.g. degraded and restored (SAC).
Funding
This report is published as part of the EPA Research Programme 2021–2030. The EPA Research Programme is a Government of
Ireland initiative funded by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. It is administered by the
Environmental Protection Agency, which has the statutory function of co- ordinating and promoting environmental research.
Disclaimer
Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the material contained in this poster, complete accuracy cannot
be guaranteed. Neither the Environmental Protection Agency nor the authors accept any responsibility whatsoever for loss or
damage occasioned or claimed to have been occasioned, in part or in full, as a consequence of any person acting or refraining
from acting, as a result of a matter contained in this poster.
Preliminary Results- Fluvial Carbon
• Greater concentrations of DOC were measured in bog streams at degraded sites (36.53 ±2.37 mg/l) compared to
natural sites (24.25 ±4.32 mg/l) (p = 0.012).
• In contrast, water from bog streams at degraded sites had lower specific ultraviolet light absorbance at 254nm
(SUVA254) (2.60 ±0.26 l mg C−1 m−1) when compared to natural sites (4.15 ±0.27 l mg C−1 m−1) (p = 0.007). SUVA254
is a proxy for the aromatic and hydrophobic fractions, and molecular weight of DOC.
• There were no significant differences between pre and post-bog streams for either degraded or natural sites.
There is a greater fluvial loss of carbon being exported from
degraded sites, which is more biodegradable than DOC from
restored SAC sites. As such, DOC leaving
degraded sites has a greater potential to
degrade further downstream and released
as CO2.
Conclusion
@SWAMP_Project

11. Raw slurry Filtrate Phase 2
@SustainableNn @BioeconomyIRL @voflab
www.sustainablenitrogen.ie
Sustainable Nitrogen
Reduced run-off: from landspread
slurries - better water quality
Recycled,
renewable fertiliser:
nutrient recovery of
nitrogen-rich residues
Filtrate Phase 1
Sustainable nutrient recovery for management of nitrogen-rich residue streams
Biodiversity: recycled chemical
fertiliser potentially more insect
and pollinator-friendly than
slurry spreading
Landfill leachates
Wastewater treatment slurries
Livestock slurries
Separation and
Conversion
Virtuous cycle
Sustainable agriculture
Improved water quality
Improved waste management
Nitrogen compounds in wastes from various sectors present Ireland with environmental and economic challenges.
The Sustainable Nitrogen concept is to separate the solids from the liquids to:
process these materials to use them as resources, rather than wastes
separate solids and process them into environmentally-friendly fertilisers
treat liquors, to minimise environmental impact on discharge
Informing Policy: Process Development
Identifying Pressures: Challenges and Potential Remedies
Clear water discharge:
minimise environmental
impact
Developing Solutions: Benefits
Recycled fertiliser
Clear water discharge
Virtuous cycle
Staged solids recovery
Chemical conversion of
solids to sustainable,
recycled fertiliser
Clarification of residual
water
Leverage previous tcbb
RESOURCE & NUI
Galway research results,
to scale-up process
This poster is published as part of the EPA Research Programme 2021–2030. The EPA Research Programme is a Government of Ireland initiative funded by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. It is administered by the
Environmental Protection Agency, which has the statutory function of co- ordinating and promoting environmental research.
DISCLAIMER: Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the material contained in this poster, complete accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Neither the Environmental Protection Agency nor the authors accept any responsibility whatsoever
for loss or damage occasioned or claimed to have been occasioned, in part or in full, as a consequence of any person acting or refraining from acting, as a result of a matter contained in this poster.
P. Ó hUiginn1 , C. Nzeteu2, D. Haverty1, B. Bonsall1, and V. O’Flaherty2.
1 tcbb RESOURCE; 2 Microbial Ecology Laboratory, School of Natural Sciences & Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland, Galway. (Corresponding Author E-mail: sustainablenitrogen@tcbbresource.ie)

12. Tracking Optically-Active Precursors of Trihalomethanes
in Irish Drinking Water Catchments
John Weatherill1*, Elena Fernandez-Pascual1, Simon Harrison1, Jean O'Dwyer1, Emma Goslan2, Elizabeth Gilchrist1, Connie O’Driscoll3
1 School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences and Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
2 Cranfield Water Science Institute, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire, United Kingdom
3 Irish Water, Dublin, Ireland
Background
In Ireland, 82% of public water supplies originate from
surface water sources which require disinfection to prevent
the spread of waterborne diseases. Ireland has a far greater
number of regulatory exceedances for total trihalomethanes
(THM4) in drinking water supplies than the next highest
European Union member state [1]. THMs are one prominent
class of up to a thousand potentially harmful disinfection
byproducts (DBPs) produced from chlorination where
dissolved organic matter (DOM) precursors are present.
Fig. 1 National scale THM4 risk
map based on peat presence,
slope and rainfall [1].
PRODOM Project
Preliminary THM Results
Dripsey
Fig. 2 Location of the two PRODOM study area sub-catchments
in the River Lee catchment in Co. Cork and monitoring stations
on the River Dripsey study area featured in this poster.
Fig. 3 Corrected excitation-emission matrices
(EEMs) [2] from the 19th of May 2021 for the
Dripsey monitoring stations. Recurrent peaks
(A and C) are labelled (left). DY01-DY06 are
first order tributary stations and DY07-DY12
are main stem stations
R² = 0.8339
R² = 0.7387
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1.0
0 500 1000 1500
Fluorescence
Intensity
(RU)
THM4 (µg/L)
Fig. 4 Peak A and C fluorescence
intensities with THM4 concentrations
91%
8%1%
Chloroform
Bromodichloromethane
Chlorodibromomethane
Cl2
72 hrs
@ 25°C
DOC
DON
Cl-, Br-
Trihalomethanes
Haloacetic acids
Haloketones
C-DBPs
Haloacetonitriles
Chloropicrin
N-DBPs
Precursor
Identification
DBP formation
potential
No information exists as
yet in Ireland on other
carbonaceous disinfection
byproducts (CDBPs) and
more harmful nitrogenous
DBPs (NDBPs) or the
spatiotemporal dynamics
of their DOM precursors
at sub-catchment scale.
UV-Vis fluorescence
spectroscopy offers a
promising way forward
to identify and predict
the formation of
multiple DBP classes in
drinking water sources.
PRoactive Optical Monitoring of catchment
Dissolved Organic Matter for drinking water
source protection aims to better understand
the spatial and temporal dynamics of DBP
precursors using low cost optical technology. A C
Fig. 5 Average proportions of
THM species across all stations
(n = 36). Bromoform was not
detected in any samples
A
C
Initial findings suggest THM4 concentrations have a power
law relationship with fluorescence regions A and C which are
associated with humic and fulvic acid-like DOM precursors.
Chloroform was the dominant THM at all locations
(particularly in the upland stations) with increasing
bromodichloromethane in the lower main stem stations.
* john.weatherill@ucc.ie
This report is published as part of the EPA Research Programme 2021–2030. The EPA Research Programme is a
Government of Ireland initiative funded by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. It is
administered by the Environmental Protection Agency, which has the statutory function of co-ordinating and
promoting environmental research.
DISCLAIMER: Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the material contained in this poster,
complete accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Neither the Environmental Protection Agency nor the authors accept
any responsibility whatsoever for loss or damage occasioned or claimed to have been occasioned, in part or in full,
as a consequence of any person acting or refraining from acting, as a result of a matter contained in this poster.
References
[1] O'Driscoll, C., Sheahan, J., Renou-Wilson, F., Croot, P., Pilla, F., Misstear, B. and Xiao, L. 2018. National scale assessment of total trihalomethanes
in Irish drinking water. Journal of Environmental Management, 212, 131-141.
[2] Pucher, M., Wünsch, U., Weigelhofer, G., Murphy, K., Hein, T. and Graeber, D. 2019. staRdom: versatile software for analyzing spectroscopic data
of dissolved organic matter in R. Water, 11, 2366.
Funded entirely by the
Environmental Protection
Agency (grant number
2019-W-MS43).

15. Public Consultation and Local Engagement on the
Draft River Basin Management Plan for Ireland 2022 - 2027
Water is a precious natural resource. Clean
water is vital for life, a healthy environment,
and a sustainable future.
Water quality in our rivers and lakes is at risk
from a range of human activities (pressures).
We must reduce the impact of these
pressures. For everyone’s benefit.
River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) set
out national water quality objectives. With
specific measures to protect and restore
healthy waters and catchments. Achieving
these objectives will require action by the
State, private interests, communities, and
individuals. We all have a part to play.
The EU Water Framework Directive (WFD)
requires the development, implementation,
and review of RBMPs in six-year cycles.
Public participation is a key component via
public information, consultation, and active
involvement in the decision-making process.
The Minister for Housing, Local Government,
and Heritage is due to publish the 3rd cycle
draft RBMP by end of June 2021 for a 6 month
public consultation.
Public Consultation and Engagement
• June – Dec | via DHLGH
• July – Dec | Virtual Consultation
Room via LAWPRO
• Sept – Dec | LAWPRO public
meetings in person or via Zoom
(subject to restrictions)
• Valuing public submissions
• Communities Informing decisions
LAWPRO Approach
• National plan - local context
• Build on experience and learnings from
the 2nd Cycle consultations in 2017.
• Engage communities and citizens in their
own familiar settings.
• Seek local knowledge and input.
• Actively facilitate dialogue.
• Encourage people to have their say by
making submissions.
How to participate and make a submission
• Get information online from DHLGH
https://www.gov.ie
• Attend your local meeting facilitated by
LAWPRO. Details in local press, on social
media and www.lawaters.ie
• 24-7 access to the LAWPRO Virtual
Consultation Room from July on
Meeting in-person
Meeting via Zoom
Twitter: @Watersprogramme
Facebook: @LAWPROteam
Giving a voice to communities

16. Source To Sea: A New Educational Video Resources For Primary Schools
Scoil na Mara | Environment Section, Cork County Council | Local Authority Waters Programme
This initiative is endorsed
as an activity of the United
Nations Decade of Ocean
Science for Sustainable
Development.
The videos were filmed on location in Clonakilty
Source to Sea is a series of primary school
educational videos and class room
activities about water quality and
biodiversity. Scoil na Mara led the
initiative, supported by Cork County
Council and the Local Authority Waters
Programme (LAWPRO).
Over three episodes, Scoil na Mara bring
viewers on an exploration of different river,
estuarine and coastal ecosystems.
Highlighting the links between water
quality, biodiversity, health, and well-
being.
https://www.youtube.com/watch
?v=jDnnuolMxig&t=29s
The series is available to all schools on
the Scoil na Mara YouTube Channel:
The videos are proving popular with
teachers and students alike as valuable
and engaging educational resources. Scoil
na Mara launched the series of videos
during National Biodiversity Week, to
celebrate Ireland’s biodiversity and
highlight the value of good water quality.
The last episode in the series is about the
seashore and ocean ecosystem and its
release date coincided with World Oceans
Day on June 8th.
The videos were filmed and edited by
Séan Casey. The series was written and
presented by Mairéad O’Donovan.

17. Water Heritage Day, Sunday 22nd Aug 2021
A nationwide celebration of water as heritage
As an island nation, our history and heritage
have been shaped by the sea and the great
Irish rivers, lakes and wetlands.
Water Heritage Day Sunday, 22nd August is an
opportunity to celebrate water and our
connections with it. It is a collaboration
between the Local Authority Waters
Programme (LAWPRO) and The Heritage
Council.
Community Water Officers work with local
authority Heritage Officers to support local
groups deliver activities and events that
celebrate local water bodies and our
connections with them.
Water Heritage Day focusses on getting as
many people as possible involved to celebrate
water and enjoy the natural heritage of their
localities.
For more information and events visit
https://www.heritageweek.ie/
Last year, in response to public health
guidelines relating to COVID-19, National
Heritage Week moved away from events
only, and invited online heritage projects.
LAWPRO and partners delivered a story
writing competition called Stories from the
Waterside. A selection of stories from c500
entries was published in a book and
launched to mark Water Heritage Day
2020.
To organise an event contact your local
Community Water Officer Here

18. Services
Provided by
Nature in
Catchments
AGGREGATES AIR QUALITY REGULATION
MINERALS
WATER PURIFICATION
OIL &
GAS
TIMBER
G
E
O
T
H
E
R
M
A
L
E
N
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G
Y
FOOD
G
E
O
-
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E
R
I
T
A
G
E
H
A
B
I
T
A
T
S
RE
CR
EA
TI
O
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&
TO
U
RI
SM
S
U
R
F
A
C
E
W
A
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SP
IR
IT
U
A
L
R
A
IN
FA
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W
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L
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B
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EN
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E
R
G
Y
CARBON
SEQUESTRATION
SOIL FORMATION
GROUND
W
ATER
POLLINATION
POLLUTANT ATTENUATION
Atmospheric
System Services
Geosystem
Services
Ecosystem
Services
A Framework for Integrated Land and Landscape Management (FILLM)
fA ‘whole of environment’
approach
fCatchment-based landscape
management
fRequires multi-stakeholder
engagement for strategic
environmental outcomes
fAtmospheric system,
geosystem and ecosystem
services are interconnected
and interdependent.
fThey need to be managed in
an integrated manner, with
agencies working together to
maximise actions.
fCatchment-based community
involvement is key for social
and economic wellbeing,
and positive environmental
outcomes.
www.thewaterforum.ie

19. Integrated Catchment Management
(ICM) within the Framework for
Integrated Land and Landscape
Management (FILLM)
fBuild partnerships with local communities and other stakeholders to
identify issues of concern.
fDevelop a community vision for water and ecosystems.
fCharacterise the catchment based on existing information,
catchment walks, targeted monitoring, identification of pressure
sources, evaluating hydromorphological pressures, pollutant load
reduction analysis and location of critical source areas (CSAs).
fIdentify and evaluate management strategies for protection and for
improvement; locate the areas for appropriate actions within CSAs.
fDesign an implementation programme based on achieving the
required environmental objectives, using the ‘right measure in the
right place’ approach, economic analysis and setting milestones.
fImplement the programme using metrics to track progress.
fMeasure progress, analyse trends and outcomes, and make
adjustments if necessary.
fConsult with stakeholders at all stages.
fIdentify and take account of co-benefits for biodiversity, carbon
sequestration and GHG emission reductions at all stages.
fUse the FILLM approach for water and biodiversity protection,
and the implementation of the Habitats and Water Framework
Directives.
www.thewaterforum.ie
Characterisation
Desk
Field
Areas for
Protection
Areas for
Improvement
Evaluation
of Protection
Options
Evaluation
of Mitigation
Options
Design an
Implementation
Programme
Implement
Programme
Measure
Progress & Make
Adjustments
Stakeholder Engagement
Stakeholder Vision
Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction
Carbon Sequestration
Other Co-benefits
STAGE 1 STAGE 2 STAGE 3 STAGE 4 STAGE 5 STAGE 6