On the Waterfront

Ireland is home to over 70 thousand kilometers of rivers and over 12 thousand lakes, famous worldwide for their beauty, wildlife and fishing set in the most spectacular natural landscapes. But are we taking this priceless resource for granted? Research tells us that over half of our waterways don’t meet the basic standards of good water quality which is essential for maintaining biodiversity and healthy wildlife habitats. Finally a new initiative offers hope, the EPA has identified 12 catchment areas across Ireland all with a dedicated Water Catchment Officer and it’s their role to help community groups come together to find solutions and ideas to improve water quality in their local streams, rivers and lakes. Anja will travel across the country showcasing some of the inventive ways these communities have engaged with and improved their local water bodies. From the first river trust set up in Ireland in the beautiful Inishowen peninsula, to the busy and proactive urban Ashbourne community on the Broadmeadow, these communities can demonstrate how we can all have a role to play and be keepers of our waters.