Pupils from Enniskillen Integrated Primary School have been learning the importance of water quality monitoring as a major environmental modelling programme gets underway in the Erne catchment.
The modelling programme is being undertaken as part of the WEST (Water Enhancements through Sustainable Treatment) project, a €32m cross-border initiative between NI Water and Uisce Éireann that aims to improve water quality in Lough Erne, Lough Melvin, and Donegal Bay.
Supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), the WEST project includes sustainable upgrades to wastewater treatment works at Belleek and Garrison in County Fermanagh, Ballybay, County Monaghan and Blacklion, County Cavan, as well as extensive environmental modelling work across the wider Erne catchment.
PEACEPLUS is co-funded 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.
Monitoring equipment - to measure river flow, water levels and key water quality indicators - is being installed at more than 50 locations across the catchment, including the riverbank adjacent to Enniskillen Integrated Primary School. Ahead of the installation, pupils from the school’s Eco Team got the opportunity to chat with members of the WEST team to learn more about the extensive modelling work, the various instrumentation being used and the importance of the data that the solar-powered equipment collects.
Louisa Sinclair, Network Performance Manager at NI Water and WEST Modelling Project Manager, commented:
“Engaging young people helps build awareness of how our rivers behave, what affects water quality and why careful, scientific monitoring is essential for protecting our environment. It was great to meet members of Enniskillen Integrated Primary School’s Eco Team recently and highlight how science helps us care for our rivers. We look forward to engaging further with the school on the WEST modelling programme going forward.”
Mark Brownlee, NI Water Senior Project Manager and WEST Programme Lead, highlighted the main elements of the WEST project and the long‑term importance of the modelling programme:
“NI Water and Uisce Éireann are working collaboratively to deliver innovative sustainable solutions to improve wastewater treatment processes in Garrison, Belleek, Ballybay and Blacklion. Together these upgrades will deliver tangible benefits and have a positive effect on the receiving waters within the Erne catchment.
“To help shape and deliver further water quality improvements, the WEST project also includes an extensive programme of environmental modelling work which involves collecting and analysing water samples right across the Erne catchment. This important work will allow us to understand the true impact of the various pressures exerted on local waterbodies — not just NI Water, Uisce Éireann and privately-owned wastewater assets — but every contributing source. The modelling work will culminate in the production of a modelling strategy which can be used by decision makers on both sides of the border to target future investment where it will make the greatest difference and support compliance with environmental regulations such as the Water Framework Directive.
“In parallel with the environmental monitoring programme, the WEST project will also undertake a fortnightly river sampling schedule for 12 months. This comprehensive river monitoring programme will assess over 340km of rivers spanning both sides of the border for Water Framework Directive set parameters critical for protecting river ecology.
“Collecting high quality data, during all seasons over the next year, is central to the WEST modelling programme. It ensures the environmental models we build as part of the WEST project are capable of guiding strategic improvements for many years to come.”
As the WEST project progresses, additional engagement activities will be undertaken to help local communities understand the value of scientific monitoring and the shared responsibility for wastewater management within the Erne catchment.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) is a North-South Body with the statutory remit for managing EU funding programmes within Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland. The PEACEPLUS Programme has been designed to promote peace and prosperity across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland and has a total value of €1.14bn. PEACEPLUS is co-funded 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.
Further information on the WEST project can be found at www.west-project.com
