Become an EPA Citizen Scientist and measure air quality in Waterford City this October
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Waterford City and County Council, today launched Clean Air Together Waterford, a citizen science project to measure air quality in Waterford.
Four hundred people, businesses and community groups across Waterford City and environs are needed to sign up to help measure levels of the air pollutant Nitrogen Dioxide this autumn. Kicking off in October, the project will help us better understand air quality in Waterford city, and what needs to be done to improve it.
These ‘Citizen Scientists’ will use small measurement tubes to assess levels of Nitrogen Dioxide, a major traffic-related pollutant known to be harmful to our health and the environment. Together with all of the other data collected, these measurements will give a detailed snapshot of air pollution from traffic in the city.
Speaking ahead of the launch, EPA Director, Dr Micheal Lehane said, “The EPA is delighted to be bringing the Clean Air Together project to Waterford City. The project is a great opportunity for the people of Waterford city to become Citizen Scientists and play an active part in developing a better picture of – and learning more about – air pollution in their own city. Data from this project will also provide important air quality data to the EPA and the Council.
“Taking part in the project is free and open to all residents, businesses or community groups in Waterford City and its environs. Please visit www.cleanairtogether.ie to find out more and register to participate”.
Taking part could not be simpler – you don’t need to be an expert, and the project is open to everyone. Once registered and selected, you will be sent a test kit with a measurement tube and easy instructions on how to get started. Participants will install their measurement tube on Thursday 2nd October and leave it in place for four weeks as it captures levels of Nitrogen Dioxide. Participants collect the tube on Thursday 30th October and post it back to the EPA, free of charge. The tube will be analysed and a map of all results showing Nitrogen Dioxide levels measured across the city will be published early in 2026.
When the project is completed, the EPA will publish a map showing the results at www.cleanairtogether.ie, allowing you to compare your results to those in other parts of the city.
Celebrating the project’s launch, Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Seamus Ryan said:, “I very much welcome this campaign to Waterford City and its environs and would encourage the people of Waterford to get involved. We can all play our role in helping to alleviate air pollution in our city.
“The importance of clean, breathable, quality air can never be underestimated. Its benefits are manifold and have wide-ranging implications on our health, our well-being, our communities and our environment. The data gathered from the Clean Air Together campaign will not only help the EPA and Waterford City and County Council better understand nitrogen dioxide pollution in Waterford City, but more importantly it will help influence policies and put measures in place to reduce these levels.”
Sean McKeown, Chief Executive, Waterford City and County Council added, “This initiative aligns very well with Waterford City and County Council’s ambition for the city to attain carbon neutrality by 2040. The reduction of major emissions and the development of meaningful sustainability must be done through innovation and in equal measure, collaboration and behavioural change.
“That is why the engagement of the public in this Clean Air Together project is paramount for the Council and the EPA to identify what steps can be taken to reduce nitrogen dioxide in our communities and to help to make Waterford the home to Ireland’s Cleanest Air.”
You can find more information and register to participate on the Clean Air Together project website. The deadline for applications is Wednesday 17th September 2025
