Funding of €2,445,229 has been announced for projects aimed at improving water quality across the country.

Of the total awarded, €1,332,492 will be delivered through the Community Water Development Fund to 92 projects nationally and €1,112,737 through the Catchment Support Fund to 56 groups across 20 counties, in addition to two national projects.

Both funds are administered by the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) on behalf of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne said: “Local action by communities and groups is critical in our efforts to protect our waters.

“My department’s funding supports these groups to deliver meaningful projects that protect and restore local rivers, lakes and streams.”

Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan, added: “Communities are passionate about their rivers, streams, lakes and coastal areas, and I’m delighted that the €2.4m we’re announcing today will support local efforts to protect and restore them.

“The government is committed to improving water quality, and this investment will enable the Local Authority Waters Programme to continue their work supporting groups across the country to deliver on our shared goals for nature."

Minister O'Sullivan thanked everyone "who is dedicating their time, energy and expertise to these amazing habitats".

Funds

Under the Community Water Development Fund, local communities and groups receive grants for projects and initiatives to enhance local water bodies, thereby helping to improve water quality and protect biodiversity.

The Catchment Support Fund supports community groups actively involved in water quality management by providing financial assistance for their core costs, including staff salaries, administration, and promotional materials.

Both funds help community groups and organisations to deliver a wide range of projects, including:

River and catchment conservation and restoration: initiatives to restore and protect local rivers and their ecosystems;
Community engagement: programmes that promote water stewardship and raise awareness about water quality issues;
Biodiversity enhancement: projects that support habitats and species dependent on clean water;
Preparation of reports: feasibility studies, habitat management plans, ecological surveys, and hydromorphological studies.

Commenting on the 2026 fund, LAWPRO director of services , Anthony Coleman said: “Local communities play a vital role in protecting and improving our water quality.

“The Local Authority Waters Programme is proud to support the work of community groups, volunteers and NGOs across the country through our funding programmes, helping them take action to improve and protect our waterways for current and future generations.”

LAWPRO staff have seen increased demand for these funding schemes which have grown significantly in recent years.

Both funds have nearly doubled in the past two years alone.

The Community Water Development Fund rising from €702,000 in 2024 to over €1.3 million in 2026, while the Catchment Support Fund rose from €500,000 in 2024 to more than €1.1 million in the current funding announcement.

These funding schemes are a commitment within Ireland’s Water Action Plan 2024, the roadmap to restore Irish waterbodies to 'good' status or better and to protect against further deterioration up to 2027, as required under the EU’s Water Framework Directive.