Public meeting on water quality issues in Laois

A public meeting to discuss water issues in Laois and the work being done to improve water quality will take place in Portlaoise next month. 

The Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) will host the community information meeting covering water related issues in both the Portlaoise and the Graiguecullen-Portarlington Municipal Districts.

The event on Monday, March 2 is being held to make more people aware of work to improve water quality in the area and to encourage as much engagement as possible with all stakeholders right across the community, including key agencies, special interest groups, voluntary, public and private sectors.

Under Ireland’s River Basin Management Plan, The Local Authority Waters Programme 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.

The meeting will take place between 7pm and 8pm at the Maldron Hotel, Abbeyleix Road, Portlaoise  and refreshments will be available.

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"Over the past number of years LAWPRO has been working in the area as part of the 2nd cycle River Basin Management Plan for Ireland. At the meeting LAWPRO experts will take you through the work that has been carried out in the 2nd cycle and what is being planned for the 3rd cycle Water Action Plan," said the organisers. "There will also be opportunities for the public to ask questions and talk to members of the Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme (ASSAP) and the LAWPRO Farming for Water European Innovation Partnership (EIP) project team.

Ahead of the public meeting, Anthony Coleman, Director of Services with LAWPRO said: “As we are coming to the end of 2nd cycle work in the Portlaoise and the Graiguecullen-Portarlington Municipal Districts 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 Laois because public participation and support is key to achieving water quality improvements. We would also like to thank all those whether in a voluntary or paid capacity, working in their local areas to help make a difference to their natural waters and the biodiversity that live in and around them.”