Water Management
Water Framework Directive
The EU Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) requires all Member States to protect and improve water quality in all waters so that we achieve good ecological status by 2015 or, at the latest, by 2027. It was given legal effect in Ireland by the European Communities (Water Policy) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 722 of 2003).
It applies to rivers, lakes, groundwater, and transitional coastal waters. The Directive requires that management plans be prepared on a river basin basis and specifies a structured method for developing these plans. https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/f7c76-water-framework-directive/
River Basin Management Plans are plans to protect and improve the water environment. They are prepared and reviewed every six years. The Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage published Ireland’s 3rd River Basin Management Plan in September 2024.
The new plan titled ‘Water Action Plan 2024 – A River Basin Management Plan for Ireland’ sets out the actions planned for implementation between now and the end of 2027. The www.catchments.ie website shares science and stories about Ireland’s water catchments, and people’s connections to their water catchments, and people’s connections to their water.
Cavan County Council carries out the following water functions to protect and improve water quality:
- Sampling of County Cavan rivers and lakes as part of the Water Framework Directive Monitoring Programme.
- Inspections of agriculture related activities.
- Licensing and monitoring of discharges to waters of trade effluent and domestic type effluent.
- Investigating water pollution complaints.
Water Action Plan - Action Tracker
The Water Action Plan 2024 requires local authorities to prepare a water quality action plan and tracker outlining how local authorities are meeting the actions assigned under Appendix 2 of the Programme of Measures.