Call out to Louth communities on water quality pilot forum

By Olivia Ryan, The Drogheda Independent

Healthy rivers, lakes, and coastal waters will be the focus of a Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) information event taking place in Dundalk on Monday evening.

Local businesses, householders, farmers and recreational water users in Louth and the border region are being urged to attend the Newry-Fane Glyde-Dee Catchment Community Forum Information Evening this Monday, September 29 at Mo Chara, 19 Roden Place, Dundalk, at 7:30pm.

LAWPRO is set to roll out five pilot catchment community fora to enhance local community engagement in water catchments across the country with the goal of improving water quality.

Minister of State for Heritage, Nature and Biodiversity Christopher O’Sullivan TD is encouraging the public to share their views on local action to improve water quality.

“I strongly urge members of the public in Louth and in surrounding counties to attend the upcoming information event to help shape the upcoming forum in this area. Water quality affects us all. We want to bring together those who live, work, farm or just enjoy these waters. The voices and opinions of all present will set the groundwork for real action on the ground. Through collaboration and engagement with local communities we can take positive action and play a pivotal role to safeguard our most precious waterways for generations to come.”

“I am particularly pleased to see the Newry Fane Glyde Dee Forum coming together. I believe this forum will contribute to positive environmental cross-border engagement and collaboration in water quality,” he noted.

As well as Louth, information evenings will take place over the next fortnight in Meath, Wexford and Galway to create awareness about the forum, discuss avenues for participation, and encourage interested individuals or members of local community groups to get involved.

These meetings will inform future pilots, which will run from November 2025 to January 2027 located in the Slaney (South East), Boyne (Midlands & East), Mal Bay (South West), Galway Bay SE (West), and Newry-Fane Glyde-Dee (Border) catchments.

The pilots will be evaluated throughout the process to inform a proposal on the rollout of a national Catchment Community Fora model and framework.

Anthony Coleman, Director of Services with LAWPRO said the Fora will give communities a role and a voice:

“Healthy rivers, lakes, and coastal waters are vital for every community in Ireland. These pilots are about turning community insights into real action. The fora will give local people a stronger voice in shaping how we protect and restore our water environment. By working together, we can build a model that empowers communities and delivers lasting improvements in water quality,” he said.

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