Public meetings will take place next week in Limerick and Cork to discuss water quality in various districts and will be attended by ASSAP (Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme) representatives.

The meetings are being organised by the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO), working on behalf of Ireland’s 31 local authorities to protect and restore good water quality in rivers, lakes, estuaries, ground and coastal water.

One meeting will take place on Tuesday, May 19 in Midleton to make more people aware of work to improve water quality in the municipal district.

LAWPRO will also host a community information meeting about water quality and water related issues in the Cappamore-Kilmallock Municipal District of Limerick on Wednesday, May 20.

Under Ireland’s Water Action Plan, formerly the River Basin Management Plan, LAWPRO works in areas where water quality requires protection or restoration.

LAWPRO collaborates with other stakeholders in these areas, which are called Priority Areas for Action (PAAs), to implement targeted water quality improvements. 

Information meetings

The community information meeting on Wednesday, May 20 in Cappamore is being held to make more people aware of work to improve water quality in the municipal district.

It aims to encourage as much engagement as possible with all stakeholders including key agencies, special interest groups, voluntary, public and private sectors.  

The meeting on Wednesday, May 20 will start at 7:30.pm with tea/coffee available from 7:00p.m at Hayes Bar, Main Street, Cappamore, Co. Limerick (V94 XKC8).

At the meeting LAWPRO experts will outline the work that has been carried out in the second cycle and what is being planned for the third cycle Water Action Plan.

The meeting on Tuesday, May 19 will also start at 7:30p.m with tea/coffee available from 7:00pm at Talbot Hotel, Old Cork Road, Glebe, Midleton, Co. Cork (P25 AX67).

ASSAP

There will also be opportunities for the public to ask questions and talk to members of the Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme (ASSAP). 

ASSAP is working with farmers in a free and confidential advisory service to help improve water quality.

The ASSAP is a government / industry collaborative initiative made up of Teagasc and dairy processor farm advisors with a focus on water quality.

Where an agricultural pressure is identified by LAWPRO catchment scientists, the farmers in the area will receive the offer of a free farm visit from an ASSAP advisor.

The purpose of the visit is to meet with the farmer and assess the farm for any potential issues that may be having an effect on the water quality in the local catchment. 

Ahead of the Limerick public meeting, director of services with LAWPRO, Anthony Coleman said: “As we are coming to the end of 2^nd cycle work in the Cappamore-Kilmallock Municipal District area and begin implementation of the new Water Action Plan we would like to take this opportunity to welcome members of the public to come along and find out more about what’s happening in their local waterbodies and river catchments. 

"We hope to engage as many people as possible at this meeting in Co. Limerick because public participation and support is key to achieving water quality improvements."

Those hoping to attend either information meeting must pre-register in advance.