The Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) is an umbrella network of 25 of Ireland’s leading environmental NGOs, national and regional, working together to protect and enhance Ireland’s water environment. 

Through coordinating the work of the SWAN office with that of our members, SWAN seeks to influence water and water-related policy so as to secure maximum protection for Ireland’s aquatic resources.   

We also work in cooperation with our member network to influence other related policy areas, such as agriculture and marine planning, to bring them in line, as much as possible, with the requirements of the Water Framework Directive and Marine Strategy Framework Directive to protect and restore our rivers, lakes, marine and coastal waters and groundwater. We do this through evidence-based advocacy and engagement, and through coordinating and supporting our members to also participate in development and implementation of water-related policy and legislation at a local, national and EU level. 

We also work to raise awareness of the threats facing our water environment and the main reasons for half our rivers, lakes and bays being in an unhealthy state. We share and promote SWAN’s proposed solutions with the public and other stakeholders and encourage them to become active in advocating for these also.

SWAN’s work spans across four strands: policy and advocacy; member coordination and support; communications and awareness raising; governance and administration. Learn more about SWAN’s work here

The Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) is funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.