Monaghan County Council’s ‘Blue Dot’ water quality project

Background

Just like a ‘Blue Flag’ beach, a ‘Blue Dot’ river is one that has reached the highest levels of water quality. The Scotstown River is one of only a few rivers in the country, and the only catchment in Monaghan, that has reached this high status. In 2023, a cross-border group of stakeholders with a joint interest in the Scotstown River led by Monaghan County Council, got together for an exciting new project to look closer at this amazing river, and bring the community along to better understand and protect this unspoiled river on their doorstep.

The Scotstown River is rich in biodiversity and home to a wide variety of sensitive aquatic species such as stoneflies and mayflies. These indicator species are very sensitive to pollution and would quickly disappear if conditions in the river were to change. They are very vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as low flow conditions, invasive species and sediment loads. In other words, even small changes can have a significant impact on a high-status river catchment, and every effort is crucial to protect this river from deterioration.

Photo No 1: The Scotstown River

Source: Monaghan County Council

Action taken

After routine water quality assessments carried out by Monaghan County Council Environment staff in June 2023, during which low flows were highlighted as an emerging issue, Monaghan County Council reached out to the dynamic Tydavnet Group Water Scheme (TGWS) to discuss protection measures for the river. TGWS abstract water from a lake and borewells at the top of the catchment and rely on good water quality to supply their customers. Following a successful presentation by Monaghan County Council staff to the TGWS Board’s AGM in 2023, it was agreed that gaining a deeper understanding of the river and the pressures it faced would be valuable. In November 2023, MCC assisted the Tydavnet GWS in completing an application to the LAWPRO Community Water Development Fund titled “A Community Plan for the Protection of the Scotstown River: a Blue Dot Waterbody in North Monaghan”. The project was successful in its bid and received €25,000 in funding from LAWPRO.

There were two elements to the project – an ecological survey and an equally important community engagement component. A baseline riparian survey of the Scotstown River was commissioned to assess the catchment’s strengths and identify areas for improvement, ensuring resilience against climate change, and a community engagement initiative was established to raise awareness of the special Blue Dot area, fostering pride and promoting stewardship of the river.

Flynn Furney Environmental Consultants were appointed to the project in January 2025 and at the same time, a proactive steering group was set up with representatives from Tydavnet GWS, Monaghan County Council Environment and Biodiversity sections, Inland Fisheries Ireland, The Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO), ASSAP (Agricultural Support and Advisory Programme), ACRES (Agri Climate Rural Environment Scheme) and Armagh Banbridge Council. The group met 5 times during the course of the year. This was a highly valuable aspect of the project, with multiple agencies involved in Water Framework Directive implementation working together to ensure the report was well-informed and that the community engagement reached all sectors of the local community.

Photo No 2: Steering Group Members

Source: Monaghan County Council

As previously mentioned, the community engagement aspect of this project was crucial – the goal was to ensure all sectors of the community understood the significance of the ‘Blue Dot’ status of their local river and became ‘river champions’ protecting it for future generations. With that goal in mind, throughout 2024 a series of engaging community events took place in the catchment. In May, a ‘Blue Dot Awareness Day’ was held with the only two primary schools in the Scotstown River Catchment: Urbleshanny National School and St. Joseph’s National School. Leading up to the event, the schools participated in a poster competition and received information on the importance of Blue Dot waterbodies and how they can help protect them. The day at the river was filled with hands-on activities, including kick sampling and invertebrate identification, while Inland Fisheries staff showcased electrofishing. The children had so much fun discovering the fascinating creatures living in their local river!

Photo No 3: Blue Dot Day with children from Urbleshanny National School

Source: Monaghan County Council

Photo No 4: Blue Dot Day with children from Knockatallon National School 

Source: Monaghan County Council

Photo No 5: Invertebrate Identification

Source: Monaghan County Council

Photo No 6: Electrofishing by IFI staff 

Source: Monaghan County Council

A ‘Community Water Day’ was held during Heritage Week in August, giving the local community the opportunity to speak to staff from the agencies involved in the project, look at samples taken from the river and learn more about the quality of their river and why it’s so important that they cherish and protect it.

Photo No 7: Community Water Day 

Source: Monaghan County Council

Poster for the Community Water Day

Source: Monaghan County Council

Farmers and landowners were identified as key stakeholders in the catchment, with agricultural practises having the potential to detrimentally affect the biodiversity and water quality of the river. With that in mind, farmers were invited to a farm walk to take a look at some riverbank areas and explore how they are managed and how potential improvements can be made to prevent any deterioration. This was an extremely well attended event and offered a great opportunity for discussion among farmers and the agencies involved in the project.

Photo No 8 Farmer Engagement Event

Source: Monaghan County Council

During the summer months, the ecological assessment of the Scotstown River took place, with consultants conducting a complete riparian assessment. Their comprehensive report was finalised in September and included extensive maps and recommendations for protecting water quality from climate change and human activity, with measures that also benefit biodiversity. The report findings were shared with the local community, who actively participated in a well-attended event, sharing insights and expressing interest in the project’s next steps.

Flyer developed as part of the project 

Source: Monaghan County Council

Where to from here?

The steering group, a key component of the success of the project, will continue to meet in 2025 to implement the recommendations made in the report, subject to securing further funding. The project was awarded the LAWPRO Blue Dot Award 2024.

Raising awareness around Monaghan’s Blue Dot (High status) Waterbodies has been included as an action in Monaghan County Councils Climate Action plan 2024 – 2029. Blue Dot signage is to be erected throughout the Scotstown catchment, these signs will be placed at bridges along the river. These will be a visual reminder to the community that the river is part of the Blue Dot programme. A QR Code will be included on the signage, giving further information on the Scotstown River. Further engagement events will be planned and held in 2025.

The final report from the project has formed the basis of a funding application under PEACE + by Armagh Banbridge Council, in collaboration with Monaghan Co Co and Tydavnet Group Water Scheme.  We are expecting some news (hopefully positive) within the next few weeks.