Ireland's UN SDGs 2019 - Report on Indicators for Goal 6 Clean Water and Sanitation

Goal 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

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 waste water.  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 River Basin Management Plan 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 second-cycle River Basin Management Plan (RBMP), published by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for the period 2018 to 2021, set out the proposed framework for ensuring that Ireland’s water environment is protected and improved, in line with the objectives of the WFD.  At the time of publishing this information relating to SDG 6 in early 2021 the third-cycle RBMP is under preparation.

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

• Irish Water is responsible for providing public water services and ensuring drinking water quality meets the standards in the Drinking Water Regulations.  Irish Water 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 Irish Water 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 Irish Water 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 is the economic regulator for public water services, responsible for ensuring that Irish Water 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.

Waste Water

• Irish Water is also the national waste water utility, responsible for all public waste water works including sewers, pump stations and treatment plants.
• The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the environmental regulator responsible for the authorisation and enforcement of urban waste water discharges, in accordance with the Waste Water Discharge Regulations.  The EPA publish annual reports on Urban Waste Water Treatment.  The Environmental Protection Agency is also responsible for the development of the national inspection plan for domestic waste water treatment systems.
• Local authorities are responsible for the implementation of the national inspection plan for domestic waste water 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 Irish Water spends its money efficiently and effectively to improve services.