PUBLIC PARTICIPATION VITAL IN PROTECTING WATER SUPPLIES SAYS BREE

“The publication of this consultative booklet is essentially an invitation to the people of this region to comment and to become involved in preparing the Management Plan which will ensure the provision of a new, strengthened system for the protection and improvement of our water resources.” the outgoing Chairman of the Western River Basin District Advisory Council, Cllr Declan Bree (Sligo) said when he spoke at its AGM and the launch of its new consultative document ”Water Matters”, in the County Hall, Galway this week.  

Addressing the meeting Cllr Bree said, “Today marks an important occasion in the work of the Western River Basin District Advisory Council.  

“The launch of this consultative booklet “Water Matters”, sets the foundation for the preparation and implementation of a Management Plan to safeguard the waters of this entire region.  

“In this context I wish to pay tribute to the members of this Advisory Council, who over the period of the past 12 months, in conjunction with the Western River Basin Management Group, have contributed significant knowledge, expertise and views in helping to prepare this very important consultative document.

“Our river basin district – the Western River Basin District is one of Ireland’s largest river basin districts, encompassing parts of counties Galway, Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim and smaller parts of counties Clare and Roscommon.   It covers about one fifth of the country, with a land area of near 12,000 square kilometres, a coastline of some 2,700 kilometres and a further 4,683 square kilometres of marine waters.  Over one third of a million people live in the district and this population is growing year by year.

“The E.U. Water Framework Directive which was transposed into Irish law in 2003, provides for a new approach to the protection, improvement and sustainable use of our waters.   The establishment of this and the other seven River Basin Councils on the island of Ireland is part of this process and in conjunction with the local authorities in the region together with the Department of the Environment we have an obligation to ensure that a comprehensive management plan is put in place to secure the protection and improvement of all waters in this region for future generations.

“The publication of this consultative booklet is essentially an invitation to the people of this region to comment and to become involved in preparing the Management Plan which will ensure the provision of a new, strengthened system for the protection and improvement of our water resources.

“As all of us are aware that water quality has been steadily declining in recent times as shown in the Environmental Protection Agency’s latest report on Water Quality in Ireland (2001-2003).  We need to protect our waters for ourselves and for future generations.  It is therefore vital that everyone understands the water issues that Ireland faces today and that we work together to reduce the negative impacts on the quality of our waters.

“As we launch this consultative document in Galway today we are all very much aware of Galway’s water crisis with in excess of 90,000 people having no access to safe water.  Many people were initially hospitalised as a result of infection from the contaminated water.  All cooking and washing has to be in water that has been boiled for at least a full minute.

“In my view this is unacceptable in a modern European country.

“Members of this Advisory Council from the Galway region have already expressed concern about possible pollution and contamination of water in the city and county and anglers in particular have highlighted their concern in this regard.

“With increases in population and economic activity it is clear that our water resources are facing increased pressure and clearly now is the time to face the challenges and preserve water quality and supplies for future generations within the region.

“Timely reporting of monitoring results is seen as a key element in the achievement of the aims of the Water Framework Directive.  The direct linking of monitoring results to specific measures within catchments will help to provide ongoing feedback concerning the effectiveness or otherwise of the measures

“And I understand that the Local Authorities in the region have been assigned the task of carrying out the monitoring of rivers and lakes.” said Cllr Bree.

“Some months ago it was discovered that a Risk Assessment was carried out on the public water supply to Galway city in 2004, and the water source and water supply was classified as at very high risk.    I understand that Local Authority officials did not disclose this information to the elected councillors or to the public.   In fact it would appear that that there was a deliberate decision taken not to advise councillors or the public of the serious situation relating to the potential contamination of the public water supply.   This in my view is unacceptable and flies in the face of openness and transparency.

“The EU has emphasised again and again that to achieve the aims of the water framework directive ‘the role of citizens and citizen groups will be crucial’. 

“Our very existence as well as our economic activities is totally dependent on water. Water sustains life.   We all know that water resources are facing increasing pressures and clearly now is the time to face the challenges.  And it has to be emphasised that the establishment of a water management plan and its ultimate success will depend on the participation of all citizens, organisations and industries within the river basin district.

“It requires the participation of everybody whether they are involved in agriculture, waste disposal activities, forestry, quarrying, peat harvesting, general industry, fishing, or as a citizen using water every day.

“Informing and engaging the public will help to increase public awareness of water quality issues, and in my opinion public involvement will ensure that the correct decisions are made in relation to our water bodies.

"The launch of this consultative booklet today is a clear invitation to the public to become involved and to have a real say in a process which will affect each and every one of us.  

“All of us have an obligation and a duty to play a part in protecting the quality of our waters resources.   We owe it not only to ourselves but to our children and to their children.” Cllr Bree concluded.