The National Federation of Group Water Schemes (NFGWS) was delighted to welcome a delegation from ACOWAS-EU (Alliance of Community-Owned Water Services in Europe) to Ireland last week as part of #RuralWaterWeek and the 2026 Rural Water Services Conference (RWSC), an Associated Event of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026.
Held under the theme "Community Solutions for Rural Water Challenges", the conference provided a valuable platform for exploring the future of community-managed water services. Through expert presentations, panel discussions and sectoral engagement, delegates examined key issues including sustainable rural water infrastructure, climate adaptation, innovation, policy developments and the critical role of communities in safeguarding drinking water services for future generations.
Community Solutions from ACOWAS-EU
A major highlight of the conference was the participation of ACOWAS-EU representatives from across Europe, who shared their experiences of community-owned water management and demonstrated the value of international collaboration in addressing common challenges.
Conference presentations were delivered by Wolfgang Aichlseder (Austria), a highly respected expert in drinking water supply, groundwater protection and water management; Lise Lotte Toft (Denmark), Director of the Association of Water Supply in Denmark and a recognised leader in governance, climate policy and stakeholder engagement; Rafael Carrera Díaz (Galicia, Spain), founder of COXAPO and one of Europe's leading advocates for community-managed water services; and Mark Farrelly, Chief Executive Officer of the NFGWS, who highlighted the continued importance of community-led approaches to water service delivery in Ireland.
Representing their respective countries through the ACOWAS consortium, the speakers were warmly received by conference delegates. Many attendees commented on the similarities in the challenges facing community-owned water services across Europe and welcomed the opportunity to learn how different regions have successfully developed solutions that could potentially be adapted to support the Irish rural water sector.
Sharing Local Solutions
Beyond the conference itself, the European delegation visited local Irish group water schemes to gain first-hand insight into the strength and innovation of the sector. The delegation was welcomed to Ballinagar GWS, generously hosted by Michael Campbell, and Rath Eglish and Drumcullen GWS, hosted by Noel Lyons. During these visits, delegates observed the schemes' governance and management structures, energy conservation initiatives, potable water production processes and ongoing source protection activities.
The visits highlighted the strong community ethos that underpins Ireland's group water scheme movement and provided valuable opportunities for knowledge exchange between Irish and European counterparts. Equally, they demonstrated how local communities continue to play a leading role in delivering safe, reliable and sustainable water services.
During their time in Ireland, representatives of the NFGWS and ACOWAS-EU also met to further strengthen cooperation between member organisations and explore ways to enhance the alliance's effectiveness in supporting community-owned water services across Europe. Discussions focused on sharing knowledge, developing best practice, increasing collaboration and strengthening the voice of community-managed water providers at European level.
Mark Farrelly, CEO of the NFGWS, commented:
This time last year, our ACOWAS-EU partners welcomed us to Galicia to showcase how communities there deliver and manage rural water services. It was a pleasure to return that hospitality by welcoming our colleagues from Austria, Denmark and Galicia to Ireland and to our Rural Water Services Conference during Ireland's EU Presidency year.
What stood out throughout the conference and scheme visits was just how many of the challenges facing rural water providers are shared across Europe. Whether it's protecting water sources, adapting to climate change, managing infrastructure or supporting volunteers, communities are finding innovative solutions every day.
For our members, it is important to see that community-owned and locally managed water services are not unique to Ireland. They are a recognised, sustainable and successful model operating across Europe. Through ACOWAS-EU, we have an opportunity to learn from one another, strengthen our sector and ensure rural communities continue to have a strong voice in shaping the future of water services.
With the theme of the conference centred on "Community Solutions for Rural Water Challenges", it was particularly fitting that representatives from across Europe came together to share experiences, ideas and solutions. The visit reinforced the value of international partnerships and demonstrated that while communities across Europe may face similar challenges, they also share a common commitment to delivering high-quality water services through local leadership, innovation and collaboration.
As the relationship between the NFGWS and its ACOWAS-EU partners continues to grow, the opportunities for learning, cooperation and mutual support will play an increasingly important role in strengthening community-owned water services both in Ireland and across Europe. The NFGWS looks forward to continuing this important work and building on the strong connections established during the delegation's visit.
