Local Authority Waters Programme


The Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) is working to identify the issues affecting water quality in every county in Ireland. Where issues are identified, we collaborate with the relevant local authority, public body, and water stakeholder to find a solution. Community engagement is the cornerstone of this approach to combine local and expert knowledge for a better understanding of what’s happening in a local catchment and waterbody. Good water quality benefits everybody, it is essential for nature to flourish and our economy to thrive.

About LAWPRO


The Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) is a national shared service working on behalf of all 31 local authorities in Ireland. We coordinate efforts to achieve good or high water quality in our rivers, lakes, transitional and coastal waters, and groundwater, as required by the European Union Water Framework Directive. Healthy rivers and catchments support a healthy environment, a robust economy, our health, and wellbeing.

Kilkenny and Tipperary County Council jointly manage LAWPRO across 13 separate local authority centres within a five-region structure: 

  • Border 
  • Midlands and East 
  • South East 
  • South West 
  • West 

A new approach for managing Ireland’s natural water assets sees local authorities, state agencies and public bodies collaborating and working with private sector stakeholders and local communities. If we are to deliver water quality improvements and protect high status rivers, “the best of the best”, then the effort must involve all sectors of society. There is a role for everyone, and LAWPRO is here to support. This ambition drives LAWPRO’s Catchments and Communities teams, guiding our collective and individual efforts.

This website will give you an account of achievements to date and how you can get involved in your local community.

Latest Blogs


Click on the individual blogs below or click on View All Blogs to see a complete list

Latest Publications


Here you can download Annual Reports and other publications from LAWPRO and its partners.

LAWPRO has several roles and responsibilities assigned to it as a Programme, with specific actions to be delivered under the RBMP. The Programmes role and responsibilities have increased since 2016, and this has informed the evolution of our strategic planning, and annual work programme planning. An overview of our core functions is provided in Table 1 below. Our work programme is discussed further in Section 4.

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2021 was a year which saw many sectors of the economy continue to be severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite significant disruption during this time, the essential work of LAWPRO continued, including
local catchment assessments, funding to communities, support for projects and events during National Heritage Week, and virtual meetings with public bodies, stakeholders, and local communities. I would like to thank all our staff, and the countless others, who have helped us fulfil our obligations during a challenging year.

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