Skip to main content

Biodiversity Action Plan

A national programme of measures to protect and enhance biodiversity across all Uisce Éireann sites.

About this action plan

Uisce Éireann recognises the urgent need to increase and accelerate efforts to halt the decline of biodiversity. We are committed to building infrastructure that protects and, where possible, enhances our ecosystems.

We have developed a biodiversity action plan (BAP) to help us conserve, enhance and work with the natural environment. This BAP outlines our strategic aims and the actions we will take to achieve them.

Location
Nationwide
Status
In progress

What is happening now?

Uisce Éireann has developed a progress report to describe how the BAP has been implemented since its launch in 2021. It outlines the progress made against each of the BAP’s seven objectives and provides details of how the measures have been implemented to achieve the actions so far, the challenges faced as these actions are implemented, and the next steps required to continue the work going forwards. As stated in the BAP, it was intended that it would be reviewed and updated every five years to ensure that it is fit for purpose and aligns with the relevant EU and national policies. However, given the new Nature Restoration Laws, impending National Restoration Plan, and the requirement of some Planning Authorities for UÉ to demonstrate Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) as part of our planning applications, the BAP will be reviewed in 2024 and revised, if required, in 2025.This progress report will feed into the overall review process of the BAP.

Our commitment

We're committed to protecting Ireland's terrestrial and aquatic species in all our activities. By working responsibly, we can play our part to halt the decline of Ireland's rich biodiversity. We deliver clean drinking water across the country and return treated wastewater safely to the environment. This means our sites cross a range of natural habitats.

It is our responsibility to protect these healthy ecosystems that benefit us all. A thriving natural environment helps provide us with food, quality drinking water and clean air. A programme of works is now underway to protect and enhance biodiversity across our sites.

Icon

31,000+

Different species have been recorded in Ireland

Icon

1,000

Natural locations where we abstract water

Icon

1.6m

Litres of wastewater is treated daily

Icon

85

Actions implemented across our sites to date

What is involved?

We manage a range of sites across Ireland. The BAP will give all site managers the tools to manage each site in ways that will benefit and enhance biodiversity. With assistance from our ecologists, site managers will be able to tailor biodiversity enhancement measures to suit each individual site. This will reduce site maintenance costs and lower greenhouse gas emissions. The 7 key objectives of the BAP can be implemented immediately. They are detailed below.

7 objectives of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Icon

Objective 1

All Uisce Éireann sites will have a set of measures that will enhance and protect biodiversity.Key benefits: Managers of Uisce Éireann sites will be issued with resources to support the enhancement and management of biodiversity on their sites.

Icon

Objective 2

Raise awareness and provide educational supports to Uisce Éireann staff and its partners. Key benefits: Empower others to act in ways that will better support nature and benefit wider communities.

Icon

Objective 3

Ensure "no net loss" of biodiversity across Uisce Éireann sites when carrying out activities or delivering plans.Key benefits: Biodiversity will be protected for all new Uisce Éireann developments.

Icon

Objective 4

Implement actions from the All Ireland Pollinator Plan across all Uisce Éireann sites to support and increase our pollinator population.Key benefits: Aid pollinator recovery which will benefit the greater natural environment.

Icon

Objective 5

Promote the use of nature-based solutions for water protection and wastewater treatment. Key benefits: Promote the use of nature-based solutions for water protection and wastewater treatment.

Icon

Objective 6

Management of invasive alien species on Uisce Éireann sites.Key benefits: Increase biodiversity on our sites and reduce risks to our assets.

Icon

Objective 7

Collaborate with key internal and external stakeholders and the wider community, in protecting and enhancing biodiversity.Key benefits: Enable us to share and develop in other areas, ensuring the most appropriate and efficient actions are implemented.

Active Biodiversity Action Plan sites

Below are some of the sites where biodiversity actions are in progress. Key benefits are highlighted.

Aerial view of Dunhill

Dunhill Integrated Constructed Wetlands (ICW)

The first ICW in Ireland has been operational since 2000, in this time the 10 hectares site has provided a valuable habitat for a wide range of wildlife along with treating wastewater from local communities. An integrated constructed wetland is a type of sustainable wastewater treatment system that is designed to look and function as a natural wetland does. The 5 key benefits: Nature based solution to treat wastewater, Carbon sink, Biodiversity enhancement, Amenity, Education.

A large lake by a mountain

Lough Guitane

Working with the Forest Service, we are planning for the establishment of 5.27 hectares riparian woodland at our WTP site that will provide multiple benefits. Riparian woodland is a unique type of woodland that grows alongside our rivers and lakes, only native tree species will be planted here. The 3 key benefits of riparian woodland: Source protection, Carbon sink, Biodiversity enhancement.

A water treatment plant

Ballymore Water Treatment (WTP)

The largest water treatment plant in Ireland (56ha) has been implementing biodiversity enhancement measures for several years, habitats here include wildflower meadows and native woodland. The 3 key benefits: Biodiversity enhancement, Carbon sink, Education

A water treatment plant

Waterford Wastewater Treatment Plant (WTP)

Ongoing biodiversity enhancement work at this large 12 hectares site includes woodland management and wildflower meadows that complement the adjacent Lower River Suir Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The 3 key benefits: Biodiversity enhancement, Carbon sink, Green infrastructure

What are the benefits of biodiversity?

Providing sustainable water and wastewater services relies on a natural and biodiverse ecosystem. This places biodiversity at the core of Uisce Éireann's business. The benefits of biodiversity are clear when it comes to protecting the quality of our drinking water and providing wetland-based wastewater treatment. We recognise, though, that all of our sites and activities interact with ecosystems and there are many more benefits. Supporting a meadow or woodland habitat, for example, will reduce a site's operational needs.​The actions undertaken as part of this action plan will:

Icon

Improve drinking water quality

Icon

Protect threatened ecosystems

Icon

Enhance biodiversity

Icon

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Icon

Lower site maintenance costs

Icon

Ensure compliance with regulations

Icon

Education

Icon

Collaboration

Icon

Amenity (Health and Wellbeing)