Water quality projects in streams, rivers, lakes, and coastal areas across Ireland have secured new investment.

A total of 142 individual grants will be shared totalling €523,000 through the Community Water Development Fund.

Administered by the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO), this fund supports the delivery of projects and initiatives by local communities and groups that aim to enhance local water bodies to benefit water quality, biodiversity, and communities.

Speaking as he announced the 2023 funding, Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien said: "These Community Water Development Fund grants will support local communities and groups to deliver projects that enhance the quality of local streams, rivers, lakes, and coastal areas. The fund is a fantastic support to encourage communities to take positive actions for water quality and biodiversity in their local area and recognises the great local initiatives led by communities to take care of water bodies in their local area."

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Anthony Coleman, Director of LAWPRO added: "The standard of applications was very high this year and we were delighted to see the scale of ambition and enthusiasm from local activists throughout the country. Congratulations to those great projects who have been awarded a grant and to those who were not successful this time, I would encourage you to maintain contact with your local Community Water Officer, to keep developing new proposals and projects, and to apply when the next round of funding is available."

Projects successful under the 2023 fund include river and habitat enhancement work, biodiversity schemes and awareness raising initiatives.