Communities in Donegal are being invited to discover what lies beneath the surface of their local streams and help build a better picture of the health of Ireland’s waterways, as the River Basin Management Service launches new citizen science guidance and a dedicated app for water quality monitoring.
The launch marks World Rivers Day 2026, celebrated today, and aims to inspire people of all ages to become more involved in understanding, protecting and restoring Ireland’s rivers and streams.
‘A Beginner’s Guide to Water Quality Monitoring: The Citizen Science Stream Index’ makes it easier for communities to learn how to monitor local waterways using tiny aquatic animals, as indicators of water quality.
Alongside the guidance, the River Basin Management Service has developed the new CSSI App, a digital tool designed to help citizen scientists capture, store and share their findings easily.
The CSSI focuses on six relatively common aquatic invertebrate groups divided into ‘good guys’—green caddisflies, flattened mayflies, and stoneflies, which are associated with healthier, cleaner water—and ‘bad guys’—leeches, the water louse, and snails—which are more tolerant of pollution.
By looking at which groups are present in a stream, citizen scientists can build a basic picture of its biological water quality.
The new guidance and app aim to encourage more people to become active stewards of their local waterways, helping to build a stronger national picture of water quality while connecting communities with the natural environment on their doorstep.
