Tydavnet Group Water Scheme (TGWS), located in the north of County Monaghan, has been serving the village of Tydavnet and its surrounding areas since the early 1980s.
It stands as a shining example of community-led infrastructure, where local residents take collective responsibility for the management and maintenance of their water supply. TGWS is part of a Design, Build, Operate (DBO) cluster within the broader network of group water schemes in Monaghan.
TGWS sources its water from deep production wells in the Scotstown River catchment—an area renowned for its ecological value and high-quality water—as well as from Lough Antrawer in Eshnalough, Sliabh Beagh. The scheme is overseen by a dedicated local committee and supported by a team that includes a manager, secretary, and caretakers.
More than just a utility, Tydavnet Group Water Scheme is a testament to the strength of community action and environmental stewardship.
At the 2024 Rural Water Services Conference, TGWS was honoured with two prestigious GWS Excellence Awards:
- Community Engagement
- Water Safety Planning and Quality Assurance Implementation
Additionally, the scheme received an Excellence Flag in the Water Demand Management and Climate Action category recognition of the wide-ranging efforts of its volunteers and staff.
Community Engagement
In 2023, TGWS opened the Knocknagrave Environmental Centre, providing a valuable educational resource for local and regional schools. The centre offers hands-on learning about biodiversity, climate change, source protection, and the vital role of group water schemes in rural Ireland.
TGWS maintains a strong communication network with its members and an active board that engages the community through workshops, public meetings, open days, and celebrations of international events such as World Water Day. The scheme also maintains a strong media presence across radio, social media, and local press.
In recognition of its environmental efforts, LAWPRO awarded Tydavent Group Water Scheme the Blue Dot Award 2024 for its work on the Scotstown River.
TGWS chairman Gerry Meehan commented:
Myself and the whole Board were delighted to win this award as it represents the culmination of the dedication, commitment and hard work put in by the management and staff on a daily basis to ensure the highest quality service is delivered and communicated to our membership.
Water Safety Planning and QA Implementation TGWS implements the NFGWS Quality Assurance Monitoring Programme, based on HACCP principles introduced in 2007.
Caretakers conduct monthly monitoring of all, critical control points (CCPs), ensuring high standards across its two treatment plants, two reservoirs, and extensive distribution network serving over 1,100 connections. A monthly source protection checklist is completed on all sources. TGWS is also proactive in reducing daily water demand and minimising unaccounted-for water (UFW). The network’s infrastructure — including air valves, sluice valves, and scouring valves — is digitally mapped to enhance repair efficiency. All universal meters are read annually in February for billing purposes.
BECA Project
As part of the NFGWS BECA (Biodiversity Enhancement & Climate Action) project, and in collaboration with SEAI, the GWS completed an energy audit and implemented several sustainability measures. It is currently exploring the integration of solar power into its treatment operations.
TGWS chairman Gerry Meehan further commented:
Again I would like to acknowledge the sterling work in this area carried out by our management/staff in this very important part of our business and in particular to our full time Secretary, Claire Sherlock, who meticulously samples and checks the bacteriological status of our final drinking water supplies in our own in-house small facilities on a weekly basis, in addition to forwarding samples to an approved outside laboratory for other vital parameters.
Tydavnet Group Water Scheme continues to evolve and modernise while remaining deeply rooted in its community. Its recent accolades are a reflection of the dedication, innovation, and collaborative spirit that define this exceptional scheme.
To Find Out More
If you would like to find out more about Tydavnet GWS or visit the Knocknagrave Environmental Centre and Biodiversity Garden with your GWS or local school, you can find them on Facebook by searching 'Knocknagrave Environmental Centre'.
This article originally featured in the most recent edition of the Rural Water News magazine. To read the full edition and to sign up to our magazine mailing list, click here.
