Research Taps into Group Water Scheme Issues
The NFGWS remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting research that enhances the sustainability and resilience of Ireland’s rural water sector. Acting as a vital bridge between academic researchers and local group water schemes the ensures that Federation cutting-edge research, spanning source protection, energy efficiency, and water quality, translates into tangible benefits for communities across the country.
Below are some of the highlights of the current research initiatives. If you or your GWS are interested in contributing to future projects, please contact your local development officer.
Trinity’s New Water Research Hub
The Trinity Water Centre is a new resource for the sector, offering cutting-edge research and practical tools to tackle key challenges. The Centre is driven by a clear mission: to undertake transdisciplinary research that delivers innovative solutions to address current and future global and climate water challenges, enhancing water security, sustainability, and societal well-being.
Dr Muhammad Ali, Director of the Trinity Water Centre at Trinity College Dublin, said:
Water is one of the most pressing global challenges of our time, and the Trinity Water Centre will play a crucial role in pioneering new approaches to safeguard this vital resource. Through research, education, and partnerships, we hope to drive advancements in water that will have lasting benefits.
Building Stronger Rural Water Systems with Digital Tools
The TRACE project, led by Trinity College Dublin, is helping rural water schemes become more resilient through smart technology. Working with the National Federation of Group Water Schemes, TRACE is creating a simple digital platform that brings together tools for:
- Tracking energy use and cutting costs
- Monitoring water quality and staying compliant
- Managing infrastructure with digital records
- Preparing for climate related challenges
- Making smarter investment decisions
'Many schemes already use digital tools,' says Dr. John Gallagher, project lead. 'TRACE brings everything into one place, making it easier to manage and plan for the future.'
Three pilot schemes are already testing the TRACE app, which helps collect and analyse data on water, energy, and infrastructure. More schemes will be invited to join during 2025, with support including training and input into new features like alerts and dashboards.
TRACE is funded by the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility through Ireland’s National Challenge Fund. To get involved, contact Dr. John Gallagher at J.Gallagher@tcd.ie.
Mapping Microbial Risk in Groundwater
The DERIVE project (Detection and Risk Management of Verotoxigenic E. coli in the Water Environment), funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has recently secured additional funding to develop a catchment-based groundwater contamination risk mapping tool. This innovative tool is designed to identify hydrological catchments where groundwater supplies are at heightened risk of contamination by microbial pathogens such as verotoxigenic E. coli (VTEC).
Fieldwork is being conducted in three subcatchments during summer 2025, focusing on areas with varying levels of VTEC risk. Recruitment is currently open for private well owners in the Kilchreest River subcatchment, Co. Galway and the Boor River subcatchment, Co. Westmeath. Participants will receive a complimentary microbial water quality test.
To register, visit: www. universityofgalway.ie/derive
Mitigating Disinfection By-Products
Disinfection by-products (DBPs) are among the most common contaminants in drinking water. These compounds form when chemical disinfectants — used to eliminate harmful pathogens—react with naturally occurring dissolved organic matter (DOM), typically measured as total organic carbon, during water treatment.
While effective disinfection is essential for public health, minimising DBP exposure is equally important. Research has linked DBPs to health risks, including liver and kidney damage, and long-term exposure may increase cancer risk.
Water treatment plants face a complex challenge: eliminating microbial threats while limiting DBP formation. When source water quality is poor, this balance can be prohibitively expensive. Investing in source protection offers a cost-effective alternative, reducing both operational costs and DBP formation in distribution networks. Dublin City University (DCU) is the Irish partner in the EU-funded intoDBP project, which seeks innovative ways to mitigate DBPs.
DCU focuses on evaluating source water protection strategies to reduce organic matter in raw water, thereby lowering human exposure to DBPs. These strategies align with the EU Water Framework The second day offered a Directive, which aims for “Good Status” for all water bodies by 2027. While many group water scheme members are familiar with source protection through initiatives like Phase II of the Drinking Water Source Protection Pilot Project, efforts have mostly targeted microbial, nitrate, and phosphate contamination.
The intoDBP project fills a critical gap by targeting DOM specifically. Using a systematic review, the project will identify and evaluate source protection measures most likely to reduce DOM. Each measure will be assessed for effectiveness, feasibility, cost, and community acceptance. DCU is also engaging with farmers through surveys and interviews to understand perceptions of DOM and DBPs and inform practical, community-supported recommendations.
In parallel, DCU researchers are advancing modelling and forecasting tools to support water managers. By combining machine learning with catchment and lake modelling, the team is developing predictive tools for short- and long-term forecasts of dissolved organic carbon levels. These tools, currently being trialled at several GWS sites, aim to provide early warnings and support evidence-based decisions tailored to local conditions. Accurate DOM forecasting will empower water treatment managers to make proactive, informed decisions, protecting public health and ensuring compliance with evolving water quality standards.
Want to get involved and help the intoDBP research team?
Then why not fill out their 'Source mitigation of organic matter' survey by clicking here: https://dcusurveys.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3fPAd5X4NqLV2KO
This article originally featured as part of the recent edition of the Rural Water News magazine. To read the full edition and to sign up to our magazine mailing list, click here.
