THREE TOWNS IN Ireland have been recognised for their commitment to cut down on the wastage of water as part of the TidyTowns Awards.

The three towns were:

• Coolagown, Co Cork
• Tuamgraney, Co Clare
• Cobh, Co Cork

Irish Water is Ireland’s national water utility, responsible for providing and developing water and wastewater services throughout Ireland.

The newly-formed government agency sponsors the Value Water Award, which recognises communities that have made a commitment to saving water.

This is the second year the Value Water Award has been given.

Last year, Emly in Co Tipperary received the Value Water Award. A number of measures were introduced to conserve water usage including:

• 40% reduction in water usage from the mains in the last 3 years
• 19 water butts are currently installed in the village
• A rainwater tank has been installed at the Community Hall for the toilets
• A waste prevention leaflet including water conservation measures was produced and distributed in the community
• Working closely with the local school to save water, achieving a reduction from 12 litres per student per day in 2013 to 7 litre per day in 2015.

Cobh, Co Cork. Shutterstock / Andrei Nekrassov Shutterstock / Andrei Nekrassov / Andrei Nekrassov

TidyTowns Awards

Earlier this year, Skerries in Co Dublin was named as the tidiest town in Ireland, beating 858 other towns and villages. The two other national winners, were Ennis, which won the title of Ireland’s Tidiest Large Urban Centre, and Listowel, Co Kerry held the title of Ireland’s Tidiest Small Town.

Speaking at the awards ceremony today Michael Ring, Minister for Regional Economic Development said:

“This unselfish effort and the generosity displayed by these volunteers makes a huge difference in our communities.

“Today we also recognise all the other TidyTowns groups not here today who are also committed to improving their communities year on year but have yet to achieve formal recognition in the competition”

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