Policy Position on Water Conservation
Under the Water Services Act, the Water Forum has a statutory mandate to advise the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage on water conservation, and the Water Services Policy
Strategy Implementation
Research Objectives
The Water Forum’s overarching research objective is:
To ensure all guidance concerning water quality and the management of water resources in Ireland, provided by the Forum is supported by the best available science; and where knowledge gaps exist, to carry out or commission research to support the delivery of the Strategic Plan.
This overarching objective is supported by three sub-objectives:
- To engage with stakeholders to identify research knowledge gaps and to assist in the delivery of research actions designed to support the Water Forum’s Strategic Plan.
- To develop and implement research actions to advance thinking and policy development related to water quality, water services, or the management of water resources
- To synthesize knowledge and research to advance communication and understanding between the scientific research community, policy
Education & Awareness Objectives
The Water Forum’s overarching education objective is:
To lead on initiatives to enhance education and awareness of the value and threats to water by developing and sharing resources, disseminating research and policy positions, and encouraging learning about water
This overarching objective is supported by three sub-objectives:
- Support the development of resources and campaigns to improve education and awareness of the threats to and value of water
- Collaborate with agencies and stakeholders to disseminate research outputs and share policy positions on water conservation, quality, and future proofing.
- Work with educators and key stakeholders to support learning about water, awareness of and engagement in the protection of water resources
Communications Objectives
The overarching objectives are:
- Ensure the Forum policy positions and advice regarding our water environment and water services is made available to the relevant stakeholders, organisations, government departments and the general public.
- Develop opportunities for dialogue, engagement and dissemination of scientific research and recommendations to inform and influence actions and outcomes for the protection of Ireland’s water resources.
- Establish the Forum’s profile as the proactive and authoritative national stakeholder body informing on water policy, management and governance.
- Support the implementation of the Strategic Plan 2022-2027, the Research Strategy and Education Strategy.
- Generate greater awareness and understanding of the value of water and advocate for capacity building to encourage water protection, conservation and future proofing.
Underpinning actions include:
- Ensure that issues associated with the protection and restoration of our water resources are high on the national agenda and are linked to the climate and biodiversity agendas.
- Endeavour to ensure that the Forum is actively consulted at policy development stage.
- Ensure that the Forum is regarded as an informed stakeholder forum whose views are of importance in terms of shaping and informing policy development.
- Support the development of education and awareness interventions, in relation to the importance of water as a shared resource that must be respected and protected.
- Provide feedback to Irish Water on their performance with particular reference to their communications with their consumers.
- Acting as the interlocutor between the science community, policy makers and the public in advancing communication and understanding between them.
