Just over €250,000 in funding has been allocated for projects to improve the water quality in Galway’s rivers, lakes, and canals this year.
The funding has been awarded through the Community Water Development Fund and the Catchment Support Fund, both administered by the Local Authority Waters Programme.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne, welcomed the announcement. “Local action by communities and groups is critical in our efforts to protect our waters.”
“Through the Community Water Development Fund and the Catchment Support Fund, we are providing significant investment in the grassroots work of local communities and voluntary groups who care deeply about water quality in their local areas.”
“My Department’s funding supports these groups to deliver meaningful projects that protect and restore local rivers, lakes and streams.”
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.
While the Catchment Support Fund builds the capacity of 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 to improve water quality nationwide, 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.
Projects which have been awarded funding in Galway under these two schemes are:
Community Water Development Fund
|
ADL Woodland Group Galway |
Kilafeen River Restoration Project |
€40,000 |
|
Annaghdown Angling Club |
Kilroe River & Environment Rehabilitation, Riparian Zone, Provision of alternate water supply, Tree Planting. |
€2,440 |
|
Bailte Slachtmhara Na Forbacha |
Knocka Lough Project Phase 2 to Phase 4 |
€5,000 |
|
Centre for Environmental Living & Training – CELT |
Shannon River Keepers – Source to Sea | Saol na Sionnan |
€12,000 |
|
Corrib Beo (on behalf of the Corrib Catchment Partnership) |
Lough Corrib: Our Lake, Our Legacy — Inspiring Action to Protect Water Quality and Biodiversity |
€5,503 |
|
Galway Chamber Sustainability Committee |
Greening Merchants Road and Laneways Galway City Pilot Project |
€4,000 |
|
Port Omna Beo Biodiversity Group |
Portumna Community Water Restoration Plan: codesigned, nature-based solutions to improve local water quality and habitats |
€5,000 |
|
The Kylemore Trust |
Dawros River IAS survey |
€6,000 |
|
Woodford Parish Development |
Woodford Bay Riparian Margin Enhancement and Education |
€4,000 |
Catchment Support Fund
|
CELT |
€2,500 |
|
Corrib Beo |
€50,000 |
|
Cuan Beo Environmental CLG |
€46,430.20 |
|
Joyce Country and Western Lakes GeoEnterprise |
€20,000 |
