€11,202 awarded for community water quality improvement projects in Co. Leitrim

The funding has been awarded through the Community Water Development Fund and the Catchment Support Fund.

Published 26th Apr 2026, 17:00 BST Photo by Rossinver Fishery on Facebook The funding has been awarded through the Community Water Development Fund and the Catchment Support Fund. Sign up to our Leitrim Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Leitrim Live within your account.

€11,202 in funding has been announced for projects aimed at improving water quality in Co. Leitrim.

The funding has been awarded through the Community Water Development Fund and the Catchment Support Fund. Both funds are administered by the Local Authority Waters Programme on behalf of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Of the €2,445,229 awarded nationwide, €1,332,492 will be delivered through the Community Water Development Fund to 92 projects nationally. €1,112,737 will be awarded through the Catchment Support Fund to 56 groups across 20 counties, in addition to two national projects.

The projects in Co. Leitrim awarded funding include Rossinver Fishery, which received €5,636 for Riparian fencing with cattle drinkers on the Ballagh River.

That funding was awarded under the Community Development Fund.

Under the Catchement Support Fund, two projects in the county received funding.

They are the Our Native Glens, which received €1,066 and Rossinver Fishery, which received €4,500.

Under the Community Water Development Fund, local communities and groups receive grants for projects and initiatives to enhance local water bodies, thereby helping to improve water quality and protect biodiversity.

The Catchment Support Fund builds the capacity of community groups actively involved in water quality management by providing financial assistance for their core costs, including staff salaries, administration and promotional materials.

Both funds help community groups and organisations to deliver a wide range of projects to improve water quality nationwide, including:

River and catchment conservation and restoration, which includes initiatives to restore and protect local rivers and their ecosystems.

Community engagement, which includes programmes that promote water stewardship and raise awareness about water quality issues.

Biodiversity enhancement, which includes projects that support habitats and species dependent on clean water.

Preparation of reports , which includes feasibility studies, habitat management plans, ecological surveys, and hydromorphological studies

Welcoming the funding, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne, TD, stated,“Local action by communities and groups is critical in our efforts to protect our waters. Through the Community Water Development Fund and the Catchment Support Fund, we are providing significant investment in the grassroots work of local communities and voluntary groups who care deeply about water quality in their local areas.

“My Department’s funding supports these groups to deliver meaningful projects that protect and restore local rivers, lakes and streams,” Minister Browne stated.

Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD, added, “Communities are passionate about their rivers, streams, lakes and coastal areas, and I’m delighted that the €2.4m we’re announcing will support local efforts to protect and restore them.

“The Government is committed to improving water quality, and this investment will enable the Local Authority Waters Programme to continue their work supporting groups across the country to deliver on our shared goals for nature,” the Minister of State added.

Commenting on the 2026 fund, Director of Services for the Local Authority Waters Programme, Anthony Coleman said , “Local communities play a vital role in protecting and improving our water quality. The Local Authority Waters Programme is proud to support the work of community groups, volunteers and NGOs across the country through our funding programmes, helping them take action to improve and protect our waterways for current and future generations.”

For full details of grants awarded and more information on the work of the Local Authority Waters Programme visit: www.lawaters.ie

Related topics: Leitrim Rossinver Sign up to our Leitrim Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Leitrim Live within your account.