Funding awarded to water quality groups in Westmeath

Government funding of €48,650 has been allocated to four projects in Westmeath aimed at improving water quality.

Ballinahown Community Development Co Ltd has been awarded €25,400  towards the village's water management plan, while the Athlone Canal Heritage Committee received €8,250 for the creation of swales (designed to manage water run-off) along the eastern bank northern stretch  of Athlone Canal .

Meanwhile, Multyfarnham Tidy Towns have been allocated €10,000 towards water quality improvement in Multyfarnham and the River Gaine catchment and the Lough Ennell Catchment Association were allocated €5,000 in funding.

Under the Community Water Development Fund, local communities and groups receive grants for projects and initiatives to enhance local water bodies thereby helping to improve water quality and protect biodiversity.

The funding has been awarded through the Community Water Development Fund and the Catchment Support Fund, both administered by the Local Authority Waters Programme on behalf of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Of the €2,445,229 awarded nationwide, €1,332,492 will be delivered through the Community Water Development Fund to 92 projects nationally and €1,112,737 through the Catchment Support Fund to 56 groups across 20 counties, in addition to two national projects.