Grant awarded for water quality project in Leitrim

Today, Tuesday, February 25 the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) is awarding €6600 to a project in Leitrim as part of its efforts to protect and restore water quality on behalf of Ireland’s 31 local authorities.

In total, €1,047,265.26 has been allocated to 54 projects across 24 counties under the ‘Community Water Development Fund Open Call 2025.’

Under the fund, local communities and groups were invited to apply for financial assistance to support the delivery of projects and initiatives to enhance local water bodies and benefit water quality and biodiversity.

In Leitrim, the Rossinver Fishery Habitat assessment of Glenannif, Ballagh and County Rivers, Lough Melvin by Wild Trout Trust was awarded €6600.

Since 2018, on behalf of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, LAWPRO has made over €3.7m available through this funding scheme to communities, assisting in the implementation of the Water Framework Directive through Ireland’s Water Action Plan. 

The funding provided annually has also increased significantly during this period, from €185,800 in 2018 to over €1 million in 2025.

Types of projects approved for funding under this year’s open call include: River conservation, restoration and rehabilitation initiatives; Nature-based solutions projects; and the preparation of reports such as feasibility studies, habitat management plans, ecological surveys, and hydromorphology studies.

Push for more generators in Leitrim to prevent water supply disruptions

Sinn Féin councillor Róisín Kenny urged Leitrim County Council to work with Uisce Éireann to ensure access to a sufficient number of mobile generators in the event of another major outage.

“This funding, of over €1 million, is an investment in the protection and restoration of good water quality nationwide,” said Christopher O’Sullivan TD, Minister of State with responsibility for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity.

“The Community Water Development Fund provides vital support to the tremendous efforts of local communities and voluntary groups around the country who work hard to raise awareness of their local rivers, lakes, streams and biodiversity. 

“Each and every project supported plays a part in achieving our collective goal to improve water quality under the UN Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation.”

Commenting on the 2025 fund, Director of Services for LAWPRO, Anthony Coleman said: “I’m delighted to announce over €1m in grants under the Community Water Development Fund 2025, our largest fund to date supporting local community driven projects in Leitrim and nationwide that will go towards improving water bodies.

“Providing financial support to community groups to develop and grow is an important step in achieving water quality,” he added.

As well as the Community Water Development Fund, LAWPRO also supports community groups and organisations through its Catchment Support Fund and Small Grants and Events Scheme.

For full details of grants awarded and for more information on the work of LAWPRO, click here 

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