Water is again in focus this week as the NI Environment Minister Edwin Poots has launched a Partnership Agreement between the Association of Rivers Trusts and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency.

In the same week as the multi-million pound Belfast Sewer Project was officially opened, the new Rivers Trust Partnership Agreement has set out how rivers trusts, like the Ballinderry River Enhancement Association and the recently formed Six Mile Water Trust, and Northern Ireland's Government departments can work together to protect and enhance our water environment, through the sharing of information, resources, skills and learning.

Speaking at the launch in Cookstown, Minister Poots said: "Following the launch of the ambitious River Basin Management Plans in December last year, my officials were keen to get actively involved in improving water quality at a local level.

-- Advertisement --

"This new River Trust Partnership Agreement will ensure local issues are identified and prioritised with local people. My Department can only achieve good water status by 2015 through working in partnership with local residents and community groups to improve the current water status," he said.

"I would strongly encourage everyone to take part in improving and protecting our water as one of our most vital resources for agriculture, tourism, industry and wildlife."

The Association of Rivers Trusts is an umbrella organisation representing rivers trusts across Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, England and Wales.

Rivers trusts are community led charities established by local people to resolve problems, improve the water quality and biodiversity associated with particular rivers which have led to the degradation of the freshwater environment and loss of precious wildlife.

Geoff Nuttall, Director of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Northern Ireland said: "We welcome this new agreement between the rivers trusts and government to work with local people to identify local challenges in achieving the EU's requirement for good water status for our rivers by 2015.

"WWF's own recent experience of working successfully with the Ballinderry River Trust and the local community in the Ballinderry river catchment through our RIPPLE project, has shown that using the knowledge and expertise of local people will be essential to meeting this target," he said.

See: Belfast Sewers Project 'Does The Business'

(BMcC/GK)