New initiative to measure Waterford air quality is launched
Four hundred people, businesses and community groups across Waterford City and environs are needed to sign up to the 'Clean Air Together Waterford' project
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Waterford City and County Council, have launched an initiative titled, 'Clean Air Together Waterford', which is a citizen science project to measure air quality in Waterford.â¯
Four hundred people, businesses and community groups across Waterford City and environs are needed to sign up to the project, which was launched on Monday, August 25, to help measure levels of the air pollutant Nitrogen Dioxide.
Kicking off in October, the local authority said project will help it better understand air quality in Waterford city, and what needs to be done to improve it.
The ‘Citizen Scientists’ will use small measurement tubes to assess levels of Nitrogen Dioxide, a major traffic-related pollutant known to be harmful to our health and the environment.
'Together with all of the other data collected, these measurements will give a detailed snapshot of air pollution from traffic in the city,' said the local authority in a online statement.
Speaking ahead of the launch, EPA Director, Dr Micheal Lehane said: “The EPA is delighted to be bringing the Clean Air Together project to Waterford City. The project is a great opportunity for the people of Waterford city to become Citizen Scientists and play an active part in developing a better picture of – and learning more about – air pollution in their own city."
Dr Lehane said data from the project will also provide important air quality data to the EPA and the Council.
“Taking part in the project is free and open to all residents, businesses or community groups in Waterford City and its environs," said Dr Lehane.
"Taking part could not be simpler - you don’t need to be an expert, and the project is open to everyone."
Once registered and selected, you will be sent a test kit with a measurement tube and easy instructions on how to get started.
Participants will install their measurement tube on Thursday, October 2, and leave it in place for four weeks as it captures levels of Nitrogen Dioxide. Participants collect the tube on Thursday, October 30, and post it back to the EPA, free of charge. The tube will be analysed and a map of all results showing Nitrogen Dioxide levels measured across the city will be published early in 2026.
When the project is completed, the EPA will publish a map showing the results at www.cleanairtogether.ie,â¯allowing people to compare their results to those in other parts of the city.
Celebrating the project’s launch, Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Seamus Ryan said: “I very much welcome this campaign to Waterford City and its environs and would encourage the people of Waterford to get involved. We can all play our role in helping to alleviate air pollution in our city."
“The importance of clean, breathable, quality air can never be underestimated," said Cllr Ryan.
"Its benefits are manifold and have wide-ranging implications on our health, our well-being, our communities and our environment. The data gathered from the Clean Air Together campaign will not only help the EPA and Waterford City and County Council better understand nitrogen dioxide pollution in Waterford City, but more importantly it will help influence policies and put measures in place to reduce these levels.”
Sean McKeown, Chief Executive of Waterford City and County Council added: “This initiative aligns very well with Waterford City and County Council’s ambition for the city to attain carbon neutrality by 2040. The reduction of major emissions and the development of meaningful sustainability must be done through innovation and in equal measure, collaboration and behavioural change."
“That is why the engagement of the public in this Clean Air Together project is paramount for the Council and the EPA to identify what steps can be taken to reduce nitrogen dioxide in our communities and to help to make Waterford the home to Ireland’s cleanest air," said Mr McKeown.
The deadline for applications is Wednesday, September 17.
For more information or two register go to www.cleanairtogether.ie
