Those involved in the GWS sector will be more than familiar with the ‘partnership’ approach to drinking water delivery. The NFGWS working in partnership with the Department and local authorities to ensure a sustainable future for the sector. This ethos was abundantly evident at this year’s NFGWS World Water Day event in Knocknagrave Environmental Centre on 22 March.
Local schools, social groups, public and civil service representatives, and other like-minded agencies joined the Federation to celebrate a special day in County Monaghan, at the inspirational education centre that was opened by Tydavnet GWS in 2023.
For those who toured the wonderful facility and those listening to a range of interviews on local radio station Shannonside Northern Sound FM’s outside broadcast from the event, the concept of ‘partnership’ took on a variety of meanings. With Robert Burns, Monaghan County Council chief executive, and Douglas Kelly, principal officer in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, in attendance, their welcoming words highlighted the importance of all three pillars to the success of the sector.
Sustainable model
Speaking on radio, Mr Burns said:
‘I think this is a very sustainable model and something that we in Monaghan County Council are very keen to support. We should be that strong community partner. We don’t have to do everything ourselves, we just need to work with others who are trying to do the right thing.’
Water catchments know no boundaries and group water schemes in the area have been working with colleagues north of the border on exciting projects in recent years. With the United Nations’ theme for World Water Day 2024 being ‘Water for Peace’, learning about the cross-border collaboration between Monaghan group water schemes, the county councils and its equivalent local authorities in the North, added another layer to the concept of ‘partnership’.
Radio discussion
These initiatives and others were discussed on air throughout the morning. NFGWS CEO, Barry Deane, Bernie O’Flaherty, from the Knocknagrave Environmental Centre steering committee, set the scene for the day in their radio interview.
They were followed by NFGWS chairperson, Vincent Farrelly, and Robert Burns, who discussed the evolving nature of the GWS sector throughout Ireland.
The morning’s broadcast touched on all elements of drinking water delivery, with Stranooden GWS source protection officer, Ross MacDonald, and Doohamlet GWS caretaker, Niamh Lynch, discussing their respective roles and the importance of a professional approach.
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council’s Chris McCarney joined Monaghan County Council’s Martina Smith on air to speak about cross-border collaboration in the region and, in particular, the work to protect the Upper Scotstown River, currently Monaghan’s only Blue Dot waterbody.
In closing, Brian MacDonald and Magheracloone GWS’s Donna McEvoy spoke at length about the links between source protection and biodiversity, and the importance of everyone in the community playing their part in protecting both.
Nature
That association touched on another synergy that was hugely evident throughout the event. If we are to ensure sustainable drinking water delivery into the future, we simply must work ‘in partnership’ with nature.
Representatives from the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO), Teagasc’s Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme (ASSAP), and The Water Forum (An Fóram Uisce), hosted information stands to highlight the links between their work and the objectives of the GWS sector.
Pupils from St Dympna’s Tydavnet and Deravoy NS were given tours of the interactive classrooms and the biodiversity garden before each being given a native Irish tree to plant at home as part of the ‘I’ve planted a tree and my garden is pesticide free’ initiative.
Likewise, the adults in attendance were given the same walk-through, along with a wealth of advice on what they can do to protect water quality.
Brian perfectly encapsulated the message of the day in his radio interview: ‘Everything in nature is interconnected and we are part of that. We can’t live without nature. Nature can go on without us.’
Feature piece
In the build-up to World Water Day, the NFGWS published a feature article in the Northern Standard newspaper, highlighting the role of group water schemes across Monaghan, which provide drinking water to almost half of the county’s population. More photos and videos from the World Water Day celebrations can be found on the NFGWS’s social media channels.
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.
