Turning the Tide on Northern Ireland’s Water Crisis
Waterways in Northern Ireland are in crisis – and it’s getting worse. Our rivers, lakes and seas are dangerously polluted, with millions of tonnes of untreated or partially treated wastewater flowing into them every year, along with an unsustainable amount of nutrients from farm run-off.
Poor water quality is affecting our communities, our environment and our economy, and this matters deeply to people. NI Environment Link research reveals that 98% of us say clean, safe water is essential for our health and wellbeing.
The good news is, we already know what will help to improve water quality – we can turn things around with investment and joined-up action.
Image below via Kampus Production
This means:
- Prioritising the use of nature-based solutions in planning, development and land-use decision-making to protect and restore our waterways.
- Supporting farmers and land managers to adopt sustainable, water-friendly practices, through long-term funding schemes.
- Upgrading outdated sewage and wastewater systems, which requires an investment of about £1.5billion.
Time for Political Action
This is a big job, but the public is behind it – nearly 9 in 10 people agree that improving water quality should be a top investment priority for NI. We need political leadership and action on the water crisis – now.
We’re calling on politicians and decision-makers to sign our Clean Water Pledge and commit to taking steps to improve water quality.
Has your MLA stepped up for clean water?
Our waterways are in crisis, and political action is essential to protect Northern Ireland’s rivers, lakes, coasts, and the people and wildlife who depend on them. That’s why we’re asking MLAs to publicly commit to taking meaningful steps to restore and safeguard our water.
Those who sign our Clean Water Pledge are committing to the following:
“I pledge to step up for clean water – for our rivers, lakes, coasts, and the people and wildlife who depend on them.
I commit to:
- Prioritise nature-based solutions in all planning, development and land-use decision-making to protect and restore our waterways.
- Back schemes that support farmers and land managers who safeguard and improve water quality, nature and soil health as part of a just transition.
- Press for urgent new investment in wastewater infrastructure and clear public reporting on how that investment delivers cleaner water.”
If your MLA hasn’t yet stepped up for clean water and signed our pledge, you can email them and ask them to take action now! Here’s some suggested text to put in your email, but you may also want to tell your MLA why clean water and your local waterways matter to you:
“Dear [MLA],
I’m emailing to ask you to step up and sign NI Environment Link’s Clean Water Pledge. Our waterways are in crisis. Every year, millions of tonnes of untreated or partially treated wastewater flow into our waterways, alongside excess nutrients from agricultural run-off. This is causing widespread pollution, damaging wildlife habitats, and diminishing the places where communities swim, play, and enjoy nature. Poor water quality now threatens not only our environment, but also public health, economic growth, and the reputation of Northern Ireland as a place that values its natural heritage.”
Interested in becoming a member?
The key aspect of NIEL membership is the facility for co–ordinated action, a shared agenda and strong voice for environmental protection.
