The Bann Catchment is a beacon of hope for water quality restoration.
The River Bann catchment in County Wexford is far more than a scenic waterway—it has become a model of environmental restoration and collaboration, restoring water classification to good and high quality in several sections.
Designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and a protected drinking water source, its health is critical. Yet, years of pressure from agricultural runoff, urban wastewater, industrial activity, and other pollutants placed it at serious risk. Today, through the combined efforts of local farmers, the wider community, the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO), Teagasc’s Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme (ASSAP), Tirlán, and the Farming for Water EIP, the River Bann catchment has become a model of environmental restoration and collaboration.
A River Under Pressure
This tributary of the Slaney catchment flows 36 km south from Croghan Mountain to the Slaney River near Enniscorthy. Key tributaries include the Lask, Blackwater Stream, and Camolin Stream. It supports ecosystems with rare species like the European eel and lamprey and contains wild brown trout, sea trout, and occasional salmon. The Lower Bann is vital for migrating fish.
Despite its importance, the river faces challenges from agricultural runoff, with excessive nitrogen leaching during winter months affecting both freshwater habitats and estuarine waters in the Lower Slaney Estuary and Wexford Harbour both of which are not meeting their Water Framework Directive objectives of Good Ecological Status.
Turning the Tide: Restoration in Action
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is closely monitoring progress in the Bann River, and the results are promising. Water quality in various sections has improved significantly. Between 2016 and 2019, segments of the river advanced from “moderate” to “high” status, while others improved from “good” to “high.” All stakeholders are committed to building on these gains and ensuring continued water quality improvements.
The EPA has identified sections of the Bann River as Blue Dots, or high-status waterbodies which support rich biodiversity and pollution-sensitive species. These waters retain their natural form, free from major human alterations and they play a crucial role in preserving biodiversity, acting as refuges for species that can help recolonise areas recovering from pollution.
To reverse past damage and protect these waters, a suite of innovative measures has been introduced. At the heart of this effort is the €60 million Farming for Water European Innovation Partnership (EIP), which incentivises farmers to adopt sustainable farming practices.
Initiatives include nitrogen surplus assessments and catch/cover crops—particularly important for the Bann River—to reduce nitrate leaching and restore ecological balance in transitional and coastal waters, along with source control, pathway interception measures, and nature-based solutions for phosphorus and sediment.
Farmers in Areas for Action (AFAs) can access Farming for Water EIP funding through their local ASSAP or dairy co-op advisors, ensuring support for sustainable farming practices that protect our waterways
Farmers Leading the Way
Local farmers have been pivotal in driving these changes. Eamon Nolan farms near Enniscorthy in County Wexford, in partnership with his parents, Edward and Carmel. Holding a PhD in plant physiology, Eamon also lectures on the Sustainable Farm Management and Agribusiness program at Southeast Technological University (SETU). The farm primarily grows spring barley for feed as part of a beef enterprise. Straw is used for bedding and then returned to the land as farmyard manure, demonstrating the farming circular economy.
“Neilus Nunan of Teagasc spoke to me about the Farming for Water EIP and suggested implementing the catch crops measure. We opted for a simple yet robust mixture of forage rape and tillage radish to enhance organic matter, stabilise and retain surplus nitrogen and improve soil structure and drainage. I am pleased to report that it has developed well.”
“The crops were sown on the 13th of September 2024 and initially established and developed very well. However, it was knocked back slightly by frost over Christmas. Fortunately, it is recovered well,” Eamon explained.
Eamon Nolan pictured on his land where he has planted forage rape and tillage radish to enhance organic matter, stabilise and retain surplus nitrogen and improve soil structure and drainage.
“These crops will be ploughed back into the soil before the next spring barley crop. While tillage radish is an expensive option as a catch crop, I am eager to see the improvement it brings to soil structure and drainage, particularly on the higher clay content soils,” Eamon said.
Eamon and Neilus collaborated to produce the mandatory Rainwater Management Plan, for which Eamon received a payment of €250. He also enrolled in the Farmer Training Course, which provided an additional payment of €156. Furthermore, he will receive three annual payments (up to €229/ha/yr) for sowing the catch crops in 2025, 2026, and 2027. Overall, Eamon found the entire process to be clear and efficient.
Progress by the Numbers
The Farming for Water EIP offers 43 tailored measures designed to suit different farm enterprise types. Most farm visits begin with creating a Rainwater Management Plan (RWMP). During this process, the Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme (ASSAP) uses all available data, including Pollution Impact Potential (PIP) maps developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
These PIP maps highlight high-risk areas for nutrient loss by analysing nutrient loading at the farm scale and assessing soil drainage potential. They also model overland flow pathways and flow interception points, helping to identify areas where nitrogen and phosphorus losses are most likely to affect water quality.
Using these maps, combined with the farmer’s knowledge of water movement across their fields and within farmyards, the ASSAP team ensures that the “right measure is applied in the right place.”
In support of Tirlán’s River Slaney Project in the Bann, the LAWPRO catchment science team carried out detailed sub-catchment-based sampling during high flow conditions (January – February) to capture nitrate concentrations from 43 locations on the River Bann. This data was used by the Farming for Water EIP team to generate nitrate loading calculations and, in turn, develop a prioritisation map of the areas where nitrogen reduction measures are required. This information supported Tirlán’s supplier engagement in the Bann catchment under the River Slaney Project.
Using practical solutions, the project aims to improve water quality while promoting sustainable farming practices. To date, over 9,000 water quality measures have been approved nationwide. The EIP aims to engage 15,000 farmers nationwide up the end of 2027, replicating the Bann’s success on a larger scale.
Catch crops, a cornerstone of the program in nitrate vulnerable areas, are now flourishing across the south and southeast region. Catch crops generate a large mass of herbage which helps protect the soil from exposure to heavy rainfall during the winter period. This reduces the potential of leaching of nitrogen, soil erosion and surface run-off while also increasing water infiltration. Catch crops include a variety of species like clover, buckwheat, and kale, which reduce nutrient leaching and improve soil health. Research around this measure is currently being completed Teagasc’s Agricultural Catchment’s Programme.
Tirlán Collaborating with Farm Families to make a difference
The Farming for Water: River Slaney Project is an example of a community based and catchment focused project implemented by the sector. This collaborative Project brings together expertise from Teagasc, Tirlán, LAWPRO and accounting and advisory specialists ifac to help enhance water quality in the River Slaney.
The Slaney Catchment was selected as it was identified by the EPA as a ‘Catchment of Concern’, with further scientific analysis by LAWPRO identifying the most challenged sub-catchments from an agricultural perspective. These sub-catchments are the key focus of the work programme in the Slaney Catchment. However, the overall ambition for the Slaney Project is that it will be considered as an exemplar of best practice, which can be scaled and replicated.
Launch of Farming for Water: River Slaney Project. Left to Right Dr. Lisa Koep, Tirlán Chief ESG Officer, Cheryl Poole, Tirlán Co-op member & farmer in the Slaney Cathment, Matthew Moylan, Tirlán Sustainability Advisor.
To support the professional delivery of this project Tirlán has increased its water advisory team to 10 highly trained water quality advisors. These experts provide a Farm Support Service which is aligned with Teagasc’s Better Farming for Water campaign and is focused on impactful actions to address on-farm water quality and wider sustainability challenges. Working together with suppliers, Tirlán believe that they can make a difference.
In 2024, Tirlán Co-op farm family suppliers commenced participation in the Farming for Water: River Slaney Project. These farmers included Alan and Cheryl Poole from Co. Wexford, who had a Farm Support Service (FSS) report completed for their farm. The FSS report (see summary below) sets out the current status of their farm and areas for further development regarding slurry storage, nutrient use efficiency, milk solids, carbon footprint, space for nature and susceptible water quality critical source areas on their farm.
Following the completion of the FSS Report, Tirlán has supported the Poole’s to apply for funding from the Farming for Water EIP to support the implementation of a number of actions on their farm, including the development of a Rainwater Management Plan, participation in upskilling courses, developing a nitrogen score for the farm, management of critical source areas, and supporting the planting of nitrogen fixing multi-species swards.
During 2025, the Farm Support Service will be expanded to support farm family suppliers in the most challenged Slaney sub-catchments and the wider Tirlán milk supply region. This activity will be supported by on-going Co-Op wide ASSAP engagements in Priority Areas for Action and submission of EIP applications. Since 2018 Tirlán has had over 2,000 on-farm water quality engagement and since the 2024 launch of the Farming for Water EIP, submitted over €1 million worth of funding applications for on-farm water quality protection measures.
Community Workshop in Hollyfort
In Summer and Autumn 2024 LAWPRO hosted Water Literacy Training courses in Hollyfort. These workshops aimed to enhance community awareness of local water quality, habitats, and environmental challenges while fostering greater engagement. Participants explored how shared experiences, ideas, and small community actions can collectively make a significant impact on water conservation and ecosystem health.
A Model for the Future
The Bann catchment’s transformation highlights what’s possible when communities, farmers, advisors, co-ops, and environmental agencies work together toward a shared goal. While challenges remain, the river’s recovery is a beacon of hope for other water bodies across Ireland.
“This is more than just a good news story,” Eamon Nolan says. “It’s a blueprint for sustainable farming and environmental stewardship. If we can achieve this here, there’s no reason why it can’t happen elsewhere.”
The catch crops on Eamon Nolan’s farm – this is more than a good news story, he says.
As the Bann River flows steadily toward the Slaney, it carries not just water, but a message of resilience, collaboration, and hope for the future of Ireland’s waterways.
For more information about the Farming for Water European Innovation partnership project, please visit the website https://farmingforwater.ie/ or phone the EIP office at 062 33063.
areas on their farm.