OGE have been the lead ground water consultants to the Western River Basin District (WRBD) Project, the body which facilitates the implementation of the EU Water Framework in the West of Ireland. This Directive is the most substantial and innovative piece of European Union water legislation to date. It sets out a detailed framework for the protection, improvement and sustainable use of our waters. The fundamental objective of the Directive is to maintain “high status” of waters where it exists, prevent any deterioration in the existing status of waters and achieve at least “good status” in relation to all waters by 2015. 

The WRBD Project is led by Galway County Council in partnership with the other Local Authorities within the River Basin; and the DEHLG, EPA, GSI and other State Agencies.  

OGE have been involved in the implementation of the groundwater aspects of the WFD in the WRBD, including the following areas of work: 

·         Completion of extreme vulnerability mapping for the WRBD

·         Analysis of the pressures and impacts on groundwater bodies as part of the Article 5 Characterisation process

·         Establishing the quantitative and qualitative monitoring networks as part of the National Groundwater Monitoring Programme  As part of the project, OGE are also members of National Groundwater Working Group.  Links: www.wrbd.ie; www.wfdireland.ie.