Local Authorities Waters Programme
The Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) is a national shared service working on behalf of all 31 local authorities in Ireland. It coordinates efforts to achieve good or high water quality in Ireland's rivers, lakes, transitional and coastal waters, and groundwater, as required by the European Union Water Framework Directive.
Water bodies – our rivers, lakes, and coastal waters – are a vital resource. They sustain life, support ecosystems, and foster human wellbeing. It is essential that they are protected for current and future generations.
To improve the quality of Europe's waters, the EU created the Water Framework Directive (WFD). This directive establishes the goals for water quality, and it sets out the steps that member states need to follow to achieve them.
LAWPRO operates as a national WFD office in Ireland. It works closely with all the local authorities, government agencies and other stakeholders to meet Ireland's WFD obligations, and to protect and raise the quality of Ireland's water bodies.
LAWPRO does this in a number of ways.
- It coordinates the efforts of stakeholders. WFD objectives are implemented through River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) and Programmes of Measures (POMs). LAWPRO helps local authorities and government agencies to work together to develop these RBMPs and POMs.
- It provides resources and guidance to local authorities so they can improve water quality in their areas.
- It encourages public participation, working with communities and businesses to raise awareness about the quality of our natural waters and how to protect it. As a result a growing number of groups and champions are getting involved in caring for their local water environment.
LAWPRO is managed jointly by Kilkenny and Tipperary County Council. Its 60 specialist staff operate across 13 separate local authority centres within a five-region structure: Border, Midlands and East, South East, South West, West.
Further information about the programme can be found at lawaters.ie