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By Waterford City & County Council

Local Circular Economy Grant 2023 (formerly Waste Prevention Grant)

Are you part of a group that wants to help to take steps on waste prevention, re-use and repair activities in your local area?

Waterford City and County Council invites submissions from community groups, youth groups, schools or other community development organisations, based in County Waterford, who are interested in receiving funding for initiatives regarding the circular economy, reuse and repair.

A circular economy is based on long-life products that can be renewed, reused, repaired, upgraded and refurbished to preserve natural resources, protect habitats and reduce pollution. It is about finding ways to keep items in use longer and not generating as much waste in the first place.  It’s about rethinking the way we do things – redesigning the items we use – changing attitudes and changing behaviours about what we buy and what we throw away.

The main focus for projects this year should be on projects to promote a circular economy e.g. repairing, reusing, building skills and knowledge in the community to facilitate repair and reuse, changing attitudes and behaviours to how we use items, reduce use of single use items (encourage use of reusable items). Applications for projects under these themes will be prioritised for funding. Why not apply for funding to help you carry this project out?

How to apply:

  1. The application form for this grant is available from the http://bit.ly/WastePreventionGrant2023
  2. The grant application form should be completed and returned to the Environment Section for consideration by the closing date 5pm on Wednesday 17th May 2023.

By Waterford City & County Council

One pesticide exceedance in Waterford drinking water supplies in 2022

Public urged to continue to consider the environment and alternatives to pesticides when gardening, farming and maintaining sports grounds 

Monday, 8 May 2023 – One exceedance for pesticides were detected in the public drinking water supplies in Kilmacthomas in 2022. This exceedance for 2,4-D was detected as part of Uisce Éireann’s public water supply monitoring programme. MCPA is still the most commonly detected pesticide in drinking water sources and is present in many commonly used herbicide products used to control thistles, docks and rushes.

There was an increase in the number of exceedances for pesticides in public drinking water supplies in Waterford county last year, according to Uisce Éireann. In 2021 the utility did not detect any exceedances for pesticides as part of its ongoing monitoring, however, this has increased to one in 2022.

The Kilmacthomas water supply abstracts raw water from a spring in the Kilmacthomas area which is vulnerable to runoff from land. Uisce Éireann is asking users of any herbicide or pesticide products to continue to consider the vulnerability of their local drinking water supplies to pesticide contamination and the importance of these supplies to local homes and businesses in the community.

Uisce Éireann and the NPDWAG are asking the farming community, greenkeepers, grounds keepers, and also domestic users of pesticides, to consider in each case whether they need to use pesticides at all. Pesticides must only be used where strictly necessary and only after the possibility of using other control methods has been carefully considered. Minimising pesticide use not only helps to protect water quality but also has multiple wider environmental benefits.

For example, leaving areas unsprayed can help native flowering plant species to grow and support a range of insects including bees and other vital pollinators. One third of Ireland’s bee species are threatened with extinction and by helping the bee population survive and thrive we are also helping to protect our precious water sources. For more information on practical ways to help bees and other pollinators, check out the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan at pollinators.ie. Farmers should also bear in mind that the application of herbicides reduces sward species diversity and could negatively impact on payments through agri-environmental schemes.

Where pesticide use is considered necessary, the NPDWAG continues to work with local communities to ensure that best practice measures to protect drinking water sources and biodiversity are always followed. Farmers and other landholders dealing with the challenge of rushes should note the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) guidance on the sustainable management of rushes. This approach is based on the concepts of containment or suppression and aims to minimise the use of pesticides. More information on this can be obtained from your local farm advisor or on www.pcs.agriculture.gov.ie/sud/waterprotection

Patrick Duggan, Uisce Éireann’s Regional Drinking Water Compliance Specialist said: “In Co Waterford, the exceedances of the drinking water regulations for 2,4-D was noted in the Kilmacthomas public water supply following routine sampling. While our consultation with the HSE has concluded that the levels we detected did not represent a threat to public health, they are still however undesirable in drinking water and it is therefore imperative that users of pesticides are mindful of best practice when using herbicides or pesticides and seek out alternatives.”

Adding to this, Dr Aidan Moody, DAFM and Chair of NPDWAG, commented: “It is important that we maintain our focus on this issue and that there is a sustained effort by stakeholders to continue the good progress that has been made in recent years. Users of pesticides must always consider the possibilities for alternative control methods in the first instance and if the application of pesticides is considered essential make sure that they follow best practice measures to protect water quality.”

If pesticides have to be used, the basic steps to reduce risks to drinking water sources and the aquatic environment are:

  • Choose the right pesticide product (products containing MCPA are NOT approved for use in weed-wipers and are not permitted to be used from the end of September until the beginning of March).
  • Read and follow the product label.
  • Do not use pesticides if rain is forecast in the next 48 hours.
  • Make sure you are aware of the location of all nearby water courses.
  • Comply with any buffer zone specified on the product label to protect the aquatic environment. Mark out the specified buffer zone from the edge of the river or lake or other water course and drainage ditches.
  • Avoid spills, stay well back from open drains and rinse empty containers 3 times into the sprayer.
  • Store and dispose of pesticides and their containers properly.
  • Neverfill a sprayer directly from a water course or carry out mixing, loading or other handling operations beside a water course.

Further guidance:

 ENDS

By Waterford City & County Council

Reminder: Ballinacourty Greenway Spur Improvement Works – Public Meeting

Waterford City and County Council is organising a public information event regarding the Ballinacourty Greenway Spur widening and improvement project. This is a ‘drop in’ event which will take place in St. Laurence’s Community Hall, Ballinroad, X35 KT53 on Tuesday 9th May between 5 and 8 p.m.

Interested parties are invited to attend to meet and discuss the current proposals with members of the project team and to view project plans and particulars. Those in attendance will also be advised as to how they might get involved in the Part VIII Planning process, which commences on the same date and will close for public submissions on 20th June 2023.

The proposed development will consist of:

  • Improvement works to the existing pathway by widening the path and by carrying out some drainage works along the route in the townlands of Kilgrovan and Ballynacourty, Co. Waterford:
  • Widening southern section between L7010 Ballinard and L7011 Ballinclamper Road a distance of approx. 450 metres to 3 metres wide.
  • Widening the northern section between L7011 Ballinclamper Road and L3011 Clonea Strand Road a distance of approx. 630 metres to 5 metres wide
  • Provision of a pedestrian crossing on the L-7011 at Ballinclamper and improvement of the sight lines at this crossing.
  • Provision of one agricultural crossing point along the route which will be formed by way of gated access.
  • Connecting two of the main car parks serving the Clonea Strand Blue Flag Beach at Ballinclamper and at Ballinard with a new pathway between the Greenway and the car park.
  • Addition of a new picnic and amenity area at Ballinclamper car park on Council owned lands which will include some surfacing works.
  • Enhancement of the existing amenity area/bike parking at Ballinard car park.

The proposed enhancement works are being funded under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme which is administered at national level by the Department of Rural and Community Development. The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme provides funding for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure.

It also provides support for the necessary repair, maintenance, enhancement or promotion of existing outdoor recreational infrastructure in rural areas across Ireland. To date this scheme has funded numerous recreation schemes around Co. Waterford since its inception in 2017.

 

 

By Waterford City & County Council

Local Anti-Litter and Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant 2023

Waterford City and County Council invites submissions from community groups, youth groups, schools or other community development organisations, based in County Waterford, who are interested in receiving funding for public education and awareness initiatives regarding litter or graffiti.

Examples of projects previously funded under this grant include:

  • Dog fouling – community projects on dog fouling have been effective in the past, putting responsibility firmly back on the dog owner to clean up after their dog. Stencils can be provided to groups who wish to buy paint to stencils messages onto black spot areas/effected streets in their community, etc. Similarly, if an awareness campaign wished to tie in with the Council’s campaign by erecting posters locally, holding a number of local awareness events (virtually or in person) or by acting as a Green Dog Walker ambassador within their community, such a project could be funded. School assembly talks/class workshops could be held either virtually or in school (depending on school/COVID restrictions in place at the time) to highlight the issue.
  • Roadside litter – A local poster competition could be run with schools. These could be displayed at local takeaways, deli counters, cafes and shops to remind customers to bring their litter home with them and not throw it from the car. A digital competition could be run with a local secondary school to use on your group’s social media account.

Apply online via : http://bit.ly/AntiLitterGrant2023

Closing date for applications: close of business on 18th May 2023.

By Waterford City & County Council

Local Circular Economy Grant 2023 (formerly Waste Prevention Grant)

Are you part of a group that wants to help to take steps on waste prevention, re-use and repair activities in your local area?

Waterford City and County Council invites submissions from community groups, youth groups, schools or other community development organisations, based in County Waterford, who are interested in receiving funding for initiatives regarding the circular economy, reuse and repair.

A circular economy is based on long-life products that can be renewed, reused, repaired, upgraded and refurbished to preserve natural resources, protect habitats and reduce pollution. It is about finding ways to keep items in use longer and not generating as much waste in the first place.  It’s about rethinking the way we do things – redesigning the items we use – changing attitudes and changing behaviours about what we buy and what we throw away.

The main focus for projects this year should be on projects to promote a circular economy e.g. repairing, reusing, building skills and knowledge in the community to facilitate repair and reuse, changing attitudes and behaviours to how we use items, reduce use of single use items (encourage use of reusable items). Applications for projects under these themes will be prioritised for funding. Why not apply for funding to help you carry this project out?

How to apply:

  1. The application form for this grant is available from the http://bit.ly/WastePreventionGrant2023
  2. The grant application form should be completed and returned to the Environment Section for consideration by the closing date 5pm on Wednesday 17th May 2023.

By Waterford City & County Council

Ballinacourty GreenWay Spur Improvement Works- Public Meeting

Waterford City and County Council is organising a public information event regarding the Ballinacourty Greenway Spur widening and improvement project. This is a ‘drop in’ event which will take place in St. Laurence’s Community Hall, Ballinroad, X35 KT53 on Tuesday 9th May between 5 and 8 p.m. Interested parties are invited to attend to meet and discuss the current proposals with members of the project team and to view project plans and particulars. Those in attendance will also be advised as to how they might get involved in the Part VIII Planning process, which commences on the same date and will close for public submissions on 20th June 2023.

The proposed development will consist of:

  • Improvement works to the existing pathway by widening the path and by carrying out some drainage works along the route in the townlands of Kilgrovan and Ballynacourty, Co. Waterford:
  • Widening southern section between L7010 Ballinard and L7011 Ballinclamper Road a distance of approx. 450 metres to 3 metres wide.
  • Widening the northern section between L7011 Ballinclamper Road and L3011 Clonea Strand Road a distance of approx. 630 metres to 5 metres wide
  • Provision of a pedestrian crossing on the L-7011 at Ballinclamper and improvement of the sight lines at this crossing.
  • Provision of one agricultural crossing point along the route which will be formed by way of gated access.
  • Connecting two of the main car parks serving the Clonea Strand Blue Flag Beach at Ballinclamper and at Ballinard with a new pathway between the Greenway and the car park.
  • Addition of a new picnic and amenity area at Ballinclamper car park on Council owned lands which will include some surfacing works.
  • Enhancement of the existing amenity area/bike parking at Ballinard car park.

The proposed enhancement works are being funded under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme which is administered at national level by the Department of Rural and Community Development. The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme provides funding for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure. It also provides support for the necessary repair, maintenance, enhancement or promotion of existing outdoor recreational infrastructure in rural areas across Ireland. To date this scheme has funded numerous recreation schemes around Co. Waterford since its inception in 2017.

 

 

By Waterford City & County Council

National Tree Week Launch

Mayor of Waterford City and County Cllr. John O’Leary took part in a tree planting initiative in Dungarvan to mark National Tree Week 2023

National Tree Week Launch Waterford

National Tree Week is Ireland’s largest annual tree celebration runs from March 19th to 26th March and is dedicated to celebrating and raising awareness of the importance of trees to the environment.

Organised by The Tree Council of Ireland and proudly supported by Coillte, National Tree Week has been running for over 35 years.  This year’s theme is ‘Biodiversity Begins With Trees’highlighting the benefits of trees to our environment and local communities.

The objective of Tree Week is to inspire people to plant and care for trees and to highlight the many benefits trees provide to our environment and local communities.

Over 440 trees and hedging plants have been planted in Dungarvan so far this year, including birch, hazel, holly and ash, as well as numerous fruit bushes and trees.

By Waterford City & County Council

Waterford City & County Council launches Community Climate Action Programme

Waterford City and County Council, in conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, recently launched a new Community Climate Action Programme.

The programme aims to support small and large, rural and urban communities to take climate action at a local level and provide these communities with the opportunities to take a holistic approach and actively shape their transition to a low carbon and sustainable community.

Funding is available for 100% of the project and communities can apply for up to €20,000, €50,000 or €100,000.

Projects of interest would address the themes of energy; travel; food and waste; shopping and recycling; and local climate and environmental action. Projects can include a suite of measures, not just one specific action.  Successful applicants under this scheme will deliver a variety of projects that have a direct climate action impact.

Eligible communities must be a not-for-profit; be located in the operational area of Waterford City and County Council, and be registered with the PPN or connected with other collectives such as the Wheel, Tidy Towns and /or a community group with Articles of Association or a Constitution, which hold an AGM, and for which approved minutes are available.

Examples of eligible groups include charities, local environmental groups, sports clubs, social enterprises etc.

This month, Waterford City and County Council will host a series of information events about the upcoming Community Climate Action programme:

  • Waterford City, Granville Hotel (X91 XH5R) on Wednesday 8th March at 7:15pm
  • Dungarvan, The Park Hotel (X35 CC97) on Thursday 9th March at 7:15pm
  • Online on Friday 10th March at 2:00pm

The information events will be followed by a project development workshop in Waterford on March 25th, which will give communities an opportunity to explore the themes, share experiences, brainstorm ideas and develop their project ideas.

All communities are welcome, from those who are starting their green journey to those with more experience. There will also be opportunities to develop project ideas with Waterford City and County Council’s new Community Climate Action Officer.

You can register for the introductory events online here at this link.

If you have any queries please get in touch with the Community Climate Action Officer, Susan Lee by email climateaction@waterfordcouncil.ie.

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Free to use images: Patrick Browne

Announcing details of the  Community Climate Action Programme in Waterford were

l-r: Susan Lee WCCC Community Climate Action Officer; Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr John O’Leary; Paul Kamp, Representative for the Top of the City Community Garden; and Susan Gallagher, Environmental Representative for the Waterford PPN.

By Waterford City & County Council

Waterford once again ranked as Ireland’s Cleanest City

Once again Waterford has emerged as Ireland’s Cleanest City in the Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) Anti-Litter League.  The city ranked 12th out of 40 cities and towns and was classed as Clean to European Norms.

The report cited that Waterford City performed strongly once again and went on to add, ‘What is so encouraging is that a previously highlighted site has since been addressed – the Miscellaneous site (diagonally opposite train station) at the Bridge…this time around it was a much-improved site with a virtual absence of litter.’

Areas such as Broad Street / Barronstrand Street, Plunkett Train Station, Medieval Triangle / Cultural Quarter, People’s Park, and the grounds of Waterford Courthouse, were regarded as excellent sites, were well presented and maintained and a complete absence of litter was noted throughout.

The report also noted that ‘based on the amount of litter / cigarette butt notices and the lack of litter at Bus Eireann Bus Station, it is clear that litter is taken very seriously.’

Several approach roads to Waterford city received a Grade A ranking.  It was noted that the R448 Newrath Approach Road was ‘a very freshly presented route with very minimal litter items throughout and presented a very good first impression of Waterford City, and this was maintained for many of the remainder of the sites surveyed.’  The Cork Road approach was ‘an exceptionally freshly presented route with excellent road surfaces / markings.  No visible litter issues throughout the stretch of road surveyed.’  A virtual absence of litter was noted along the Tramore Approach Road also.

Other sites which performed very well included IDA Industrial Estate, SETU Cork Road, George’s Street, Kingfisher Sports Facility, and Bolton Street Car Park.

The Riverwalk from Edmund Rice Bridge to Wallace Memorial, where extensive enhancement works have taken place is improved by ‘attractive new paving looks very well. All aspects of the area surveyed were in excellent condition e.g., signage, lifebelts, seating, planted areas etc. It was excellent with regard to litter.’

Waterford Nature Reserve / Kilbarry Nature Park is an extraordinarily clean site with ‘just one mineral can throughout an entire 2km route!’

The Bring Centre at Tesco, Ardkeen was however described as a litter blackspot that wasn’t just casually littered but ‘subject to dumping.’

There was a strong performance for Ballybeg over the previous survey.  A couple of sites which had previous been heavily littered have since been addressed.   The main access routes were all top ranking, along with Tesco and Ballybeg Park / Playground with the latter a lovely amenity which was very well presented and maintained.

Fergus Galvin, Director of Services with Waterford City and County Council said that Waterford’s status as Ireland’s Cleanest City was once again a great achievement for the city.

“Waterford’s standing as the cleanest city is a result of the hard work and dedication of a number of integral groups…voluntary committees, local schools, the business community, and the staff of Waterford City and County Council’s Cleansing Section.

“Environmental awareness initiatives have also played a key role in informing and engaging future generations.  The recent Anti-litter challenge for secondary schools with Tom Murphy Car Sales, Green Schools, and Picker Pals go a long way to instil a sense of pride in our place for school-going children and young adults.

“Combined with initiatives like 2GoCup, which tackles the issue of single use plastics; the introduction of wash stations for reusables at food festivals, and the Gum Litter Task force have all paid dividends as they help keep our public realm spaces spotless.”

Further initiatives that Waterford City and County Council promoted and supported in 2022 included the Green Dog Walker Programme, Leave No Trace, work with Tidy Towns and other community groups and the Anti-Graffiti and Anti-Litter Awareness Grant Scheme.

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By Waterford City & County Council

Waterford City and County Council launches innovative Bring Banks sensors project 

Waterford City and County Council’s Environment Department has this week launched an innovative Bring Banks sensors project, aimed at tackling litter build up around bring banks that may be full.

bringbank_sensors

Sensors to monitor the levels of glass within bring banks have been installed at 70 locations around the city and county.  Information from the sensors, available via a smartphone map on the Council’s website, will allow members of the public to check capacity of the different types of glass and avoid a wasted trip, or plan to visit an alternative bring centre. The project will also reduce the amount of fuel required for the Council’s glass collection contractors to empty the bottle banks.

Funding of €45,000 for this project was provided by The Public Service Innovation Fund run by Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) following a successful application earlier in the year.  This is a competitive fund that aims to support innovative ideas from across public service organisations and turn them into a reality.  Projects must have a strong focus on outcomes and impact with additional focus on scalability, transferability and learning within the public sector.

Senior Executive Engineer with Waterford Council’s Environment Section, Niall Kane, spoke at the launch of the project this week, saying, “The funding for this project from The Public Service Innovation Fund is integral in the roll out one of the country’s first smart bring bank projects.  The installation of these sensors is a very positive climate action and will result in less journeys by customers and less overheads on the collection contractors.  Not only that, but we are providing live information through a person’s smartphone too, as the sensors provide information on what colour of glass is filling up, where the capacity is in the network and where the next nearest bank might be.”

Galway based firm Magnus Monitors were chosen as partners for the project and have installed some 141 monitors at 70 bring banks across the city and county.  The type of equipment installed is a highly accurate level monitor that can remotely monitor bottle banks of up to 4m in height. Their battery-driven solution is low powered when compared to other mains wired solutions and lasts for up to 5 years.

Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. John O’Leary said, “We were delighted to receive funding for this important project.  Recycling glass benefits businesses as well as the environment as it reduces their carbon footprint and saves money by lowering emissions, the consumption of raw materials and the use of facilities.  If you have ever arrived at your local bottle bank and found it overflowing, now we can help alleviate that.  We’re encouraging citizens to scan the QR code at their bottle bank or check on your smartphone and head to a bring bank with capacity nearby.”

To mark the launch of the monitors, two exciting competitions are planned on local radio and on social media, with daily prizes of commissioned recycled glasswork by An Rinn-based craftsman Eamonn Terry of  Criostal na Rinne and Sean Egan of Sean Egan Art Glass, based in Waterford’s Bishop’s Palace.

For more information on the project, and to check the capacity levels at your local bring centre, see www.waterfordcouncil.ie/bringbanks

By Waterford City & County Council

Construction begins on new €7m Ferrybank Pump Station at former Dunlop site

Waterford City and County Council and Irish Water have commenced construction on a new pump station in Ferrybank to improve the overall wastewater infrastructure.  The project represents a further step in the continued delivery of improvements to the wastewater network in Ferrybank.

Funded by Irish Water, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government’s Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF), NTA and Waterford City and County Council, the project will see the upgraded station replace the existing pump station and be located to the former Dunlop site, which now forms an integral part of the North Quays Strategic Development Zone (SDZ).

The new pump station will have expanded storage to significantly reduce the frequency of sewage overflows into the River Suir during wet weather events, improve wastewater capacity in the Ferrybank catchment area, and meet all environmental standards for discharge of sewage overflows.

The existing Ferrybank pump station occupies a small but central part of the Waterford North Quays Strategic Development Zone (SDZ).  This is an eight-hectare site pivotally located in the centre of the region’s City and designated as a SDZ in 2016.  The site had remained derelict for decades and hindered the integration, attractiveness, and sustainable development of the City Centre and consequently the surrounding area.  However, the decommissioning of this station and the construction of an improved facility will allow for the development of a derelict City Centre Strategic site.

Commenting on the upgrade, Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. John O’Leary said, “This investment in a new pumping station in Ferrybank will have far-reaching benefits to the catchment area.  Sewage overflows will be exponentially decreased which will undoubtedly be welcomed by the local community.

“The implementation of much improved wastewater infrastructure will improve flood protection, reduce the sites carbon footprint and facilitate future development as the catchment area grows.”

Lisa Cogan from Irish Water said, “We are delighted to be making progress on this essential wastewater improvement project in Ferrybank and as a result of the collaborative works between Irish Water and Waterford City and County Council, the local community will see the benefits for years to come in terms of health, integrity of the environment and improved water quality for all.

“The construction of the pumping station and new wastewater pipes will ensure wastewater infrastructure capacity can meet future demand and support social and economic development in the Ferrybank area.”

Upon completion the project will reduce the risk of sewer overflow with the catchment, improve the separation of foul and surface water networks, enhance the water quality of the River Suir though improved foul water storage and reduced overflows and ensure compliance with the EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directives.

David Walsh Civil Engineering is the main contractor on the project, with Consultant Engineers from Nicholas O’Dwyer Consulting Engineers, and Roughan & O’Donovan Consulting Engineers.  Works are expected to be completed by December 2023.

Earlier this month, the Government gave approval for €170.6m of investment in the Waterford North Quays Infrastructure Project.

The transformative project will create a sustainable modern mixed-use development that will harness and extend Waterford’s city centre, whilst reinstating the primacy of the river by creating a compact and vibrant core centred on the River Suir.  The funding announced will deliver the public infrastructure that will serve both the SDZ site and the public, including enhanced multi-modal access routes, an integrated transport hub and the sustainable transport bridge.

The infrastructure will enable the commercial development on the SDZ Site, which will include offices, residential, retail, accommodation, and tourism investment in conference/exhibition facilities, as well as a 4-star hotel and visitor’s centre.

While elements of the project will have important transport and socio-economic benefits, the main objective is to leverage further investment in Waterford City and the region, by attracting indigenous and multinational companies and the retail and tourism sectors.  The development of the North Quays as a modern multi-purpose development on the North site of the city will increase employment, provide much needed high quality residential units, enhance the retail offer and build on Waterford’s reputation as the Best Place to Live in Ireland.

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Photographs: Patrick Browne

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