Protecting Shared Waters, a major cross border initiative to enhance water quality in two vital drinking water catchment areas, has been officially launched at the foothills of the Sperrin Mountains in An Creagán, Omagh.

Photo: Paul Sheridan (SEUPB Corporate Services Director)

and Sara Venning (NI Water Chief Executive)

Led by Northern Ireland Water, the €7.5 million project is supported by PEACEPLUS, is marking a significant step forward in collaborative water management across the island of Ireland. The PEACEPLUS programme is managed by the Special EU Programmes (SEUPB) and endorsed by both the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) in Ireland.

Working in partnership with Uisce Éireann, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Ulster Wildlife, The James Hutton Institute and The Rivers Trust, the project will pilot a mix of nature-based solutions (NbS) and agronomic advice in selected sub-catchments of the Strule and a community-based approach to installing NbS and water conservation measures within the Fane catchment.

It will also involve restoration of peatland in upland catchments through targeted conservation measures. The project will develop transferrable catchment management solutions that contribute to water quality improvements which benefit citizens, landowners, and other stakeholders in cross-border communities.

Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir said:

“The Protected Shared Waters project recognises the importance of working together to safeguard the rivers, lakes and drinking water across our communities. As water does not recognise borders, collaboration is essential to improving water quality and ecosystem health. I wish all project partners every success as they deliver this important project and its lasting benefits for people and nature alike.”

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD said:

“It is essential that we protect the quality and quantity of water in our catchments across the island of Ireland, particularly those that provide a source of water for drinking for our citizens.

The implementation of nature-based solutions, which offer multiple benefits for water quality, climate resilience and biodiversity, play a huge role and I am delighted to see that they are an important feature of this project. I look forward to hearing about the success of this project, and to learn about the innovative initiatives put into practice across the catchments.”

SEUPB CEO, Gina McIntyre said:

"This PEACEPLUS funded Project demonstrates the value of cross-border cooperation in tackling shared environmental challenges. By bringing together expertise from across the island of Ireland, the project partners are developing practical, evidence-based solutions that will help improve water quality, enhance biodiversity and support communities that rely on these vital natural resources. Delivering lasting benefits for people and the environment, I look forward to seeing the positive impact this important initiative will achieve in the years ahead."

PEACEPLUS is a cross-border funding Programme supported by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Executive.

NI Water CEO Dr Sara Venning added:

“NI Water is committed to driving forward innovative thinking in nature-based solutions to reduce environmental pressures on shared water bodies and support their recovery to good or high ecological status.

“The allocation of €7.5m from the PEACEPLUS fund will help us enhance the quality and reliability of raw water at abstraction points, an essential step in ensuring safe, clean drinking water for communities on both sides of the border.

“We are delighted to work on this important project with our key partners: Uisce Éireann, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Ulster Wildlife, The James Hutton Institute and The Rivers Trust.”