Water is fundamental for life and has multiple benefits as a resource, for example supporting human health, ecosystems, recreation, tourism and industry. The protection of both the quality and quantity of our water is necessary to ensure that these benefits are sustainable. Key areas of relevance to SDG 6 in Ireland include the Water Framework Directive, protection of water-related ecosystems, drinking water and wastewater. This brief overview introduces information relating to some of the relevant organisations working in these areas. For further detail, see the individual SDG 6 indicators, the websites of the organisations listed, the Water Action Plan 2024: A River Basin Management Plan for Ireland or the EPA’s most recent State of the Environment Report.
Water Framework Directive
The European Union’s Water Framework Directive (WFD) has many links with Sustainable Development Goal 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation. Examples of these links are objectives of the WFD such as the protection of the quality of our rivers, lakes, groundwater and transitional and coastal waters, our water-based ecosystems and our drinking water sources. Under the WFD, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage has a leading role in developing and implementing policies to protect our water. The latest Water Action Plan, published by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for the period 2022 to 2027, set out the proposed framework for ensuring that Ireland’s water environment is protected and improved, in line with the objectives of the WFD.
There are over 30 public bodies including various Departments, State Agencies and other organisations working directly or indirectly to contribute to achieving the objectives of the Water Framework Directive. There are also relevant Non-Governmental Organisations such as those included in the Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) and the Irish Environmental Network, Rivers Trusts and numerous community groups working in this area.
The focus on participation and local engagement under the Water Framework Directive has led to the creation of the Water Forum (An Fóram Uisce), the Local Authority Waters Programme and the catchments.ie and watersandcommunities.ie websites.
Water-Related Ecosystems
- The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is part of the Heritage Division of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and has responsibility for the protection and conservation of Ireland’s natural heritage and biodiversity at national government level. The responsibilities of NPWS include the protection of habitats and species through the promotion of activities considered beneficial to their conservation and restoration.
Drinking Water
- Uisce Éireann is responsible for providing public water services and ensuring drinking water quality meets the standards in the Drinking Water Regulations. Uisce Éireann also provides water from its water treatment plants to public group schemes. Information on public water supply drinking water quality can be found on the Uisce Éireann website.
- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the drinking water quality regulator, responsible for enforcing the Drinking Water Regulations. The EPA publish annual reports on drinking water quality.
- The Health Service Executive is responsible for public health and liaises with Uisce Éireann where there is a failure to meet the standards in the Drinking Water Regulations, or where there is a public health risk.
- The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is the economic regulator for public water services, responsible for ensuring that Uisce Éireann operates in an economical and efficient manner.
- The National Federation of Group Water Schemes (NFGWS) is the representative organisation for the community-owned group water scheme sector in Ireland.
- The EPA publishes the Remedial Action List (RAL) of public water supplies that require corrective action on a biannual basis.
Wastewater
- Uisce Éireann is the national wastewater utility, responsible for all public wastewater works including sewers, pump stations and treatment plants.
- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the environmental regulator of Uisce Éireann and is responsible for the authorisation and enforcement of urban wastewater discharges, in accordance with the Waste Water Discharge Regulations. The EPA publish annual reports on Urban Wastewater Treatment and identify the priority areas where improvements in the collection and treatment of wastewater are needed most and will bring the greatest benefits.
- The Environmental Protection Agency is also responsible for the development of the national inspection plan for domestic wastewater treatment systems (commonly known as septic tanks). The EPA’s latest report regarding the implementation of the National Inspection Plan for 2024 provides more information.
- Local authorities are responsible for the implementation of the national inspection plan for domestic wastewater treatment systems at a local level. This includes the delivery of the engagement strategy and carrying out risk-based inspections.
- The Commission for Regulation of Utilities is the economic regulator, responsible for ensuring Uisce Éireann spends its money efficiently and effectively to improve services.
Investment in Water and Wastewater Infrastructure
- The EPA’s recent State of the Environment Report highlights the urgent need for scaling up of investment in drinking water and wastewater treatment infrastructure.
- At the current rate of investment in water services infrastructure in Ireland, it will take decades before the requisite level of compliance and resilience is achieved.
- Investment in public drinking water and wastewater treatment should be targeted to improve treatment at priority (wastewater) areas and remedial (drinking water) areas.
- Enhanced and sustained investment in water and wastewater infrastructure now and into the future, is required to meet the demands of our growing society, protect the environment and improve climate change resilience.
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