Water quality - what can I do?

Everyone has a role to play and simple steps can have a positive impact – such as maintaining our drains and septic tanks, disposing of waste correctly, reporting pollution, reporting invasive non-native species, supporting local conservation efforts and using garden chemicals wisely.  

Together, our everyday actions can ensure safe water and a brighter, more sustainable future for all.

• Don’t pour oils or chemicals down sinks or toilets.
• Use garden fertilisers and pesticides carefully to avoid runoff.
• Keep septic tanks in good condition and ensure drains are used correctly.
• Report pollution, Blue-Green Algae, or invasive species when you see them.

Explore the resources below to see how you can make a difference.

Simple steps and checks

Make sure only rain goes down the drain

• Play your part in preventing water pollution and remember, only rain down the drain!

• Watch this short video for advice on simple steps we can all take in and around the home to help protect and improve our water quality. 

Looking after your septic tanks

Learn more about how your septic tanks works and how to look after it properly to prevent it causing water pollution.

• Stop the leak: Simple steps to prevent septic tank pollution
• Private Sewage Treatment Systems Care and Maintenance: A Guide for Homeowners
• Guidance leaflet: Looking after your private sewage treatment system
• Watch this short video for advice on looking after your septic tank to help ensure it doesn't cause water pollution

Drainage misconnections

Find out how misconnected drains in your home can cause water pollution.

• Know your drains and help prevent water pollution
• Connecting your home to the right drains - nidirect
• Proper Use of Drains leaflet - NIEA

Join the Groundwater Monitoring Network 

• If you have a borehole or groundwater fed spring on your property, you can support groundwater monitoring by joining the Groundwater Monitoring Network. Find out about groundwater and why it's important

Invasive Species

There are lots of things that water users can do to help limit the spread of invasive species.  

• Listen to Rose Muir from Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) explain why it’s important for water users to ‘Check - Clean - Dry’ their equipment to prevent the spread of invasive species [embed Rose Muir

Embed Rose Muir video clip check clean dry here

• Find out how you can play a role in stopping the spread of invasive species, which can play a part in the challenges facing Lough Neagh and other water bodies
• Read more and download useful resources from the Invasive Species Northern Ireland website.

See it - Report it

Reporting Invasive Species

• Record any sighting of invasive species using the iRecord app (available on iOS and Android) 

Reporting water pollution

• See it – report it! You can be part of the solution to water pollution by reporting any water pollution incidents you come across

Reporting Blue-Green Algae 

• If you suspect Blue-Green Algae is present in a water body, you should stay away from the water

• You shouldn’t let animals drink water, eat algae or swim and you shouldn’t enter the water to swim, to wash or for boating or other leisure activities such as kayaking and paddle-boarding. 

• Anglers also need to be extremely careful because of the risks of handling fish and equipment. The advice is that anglers do not fish or wade when Blue-Green Algae scum or mats are present. 

• You should use the Bloomin’ Algae app to report potential sightings of Blue-Green Algae. You will need to record the location and date, as well as submit some photos to help verify the record.  Watch this video for details of how to submit a report and what happens when a sighting of Blue-Green Algae is reported.

Looking after your oil tank

It’s important to check your oil tank regularly to make sure it’s in good repair and reduce the risk of oil spillages, which can damage the environment.

• Oil tank safety tips to protect your home and the environment
• Oil tank care in warmer weather

Boating oil care

Advice for boatowners to help promote better oil care and prevent pollution entering our water environment. 

• Guidance for boatowners: Essential tips to prevent oil spills and protect our waterways

Useful resources

• You're the solution to water pollution leaflet - NIEA
• Householder awareness: improving water quality in your local area - NIEA
• Proper use of drains leaflet - NIEA

Lough Neagh Partnership videos

• Tackling Invasive Species - find out what you can do to prevent the spread of invasive species and why it’s important to check, clean, dry.