Mayo group water schemes recognised at national GWS Excellence Awards
The awards recognise excellence across water quality, climate action, biodiversity, community engagement and volunteerism, with a number of Mayo schemes among this year's recipients.
Several Mayo group water schemes have been recognised at the 2026 GWS Excellence Awards, which celebrate the achievements of community-owned water schemes across Ireland.
The awards were announced by Christopher O'Sullivan TD, Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, during the Rural Water Services Conference on Thursday, September 10.
The awards recognise excellence across water quality, climate action, biodiversity, community engagement and volunteerism, with a number of Mayo schemes among this year's recipients.
PBKS Group Water Scheme in Mayo took the overall award in the Biodiversity Enhancement category, while also receiving a GWS Excellence Flag in the same category.
The scheme was recognised alongside Belcarra GWS in Mayo, as well as Eglish Drumcullen Rath GWS in Offaly and Kilmaley-Inagh GWS in Clare.
Mayo was also represented in the Water Demand Management and Climate Action category, with PBKS GWS receiving an Excellence Flag alongside schemes from Laois, Offaly, Monaghan, Clare and Limerick.
In the Community Engagement category, Glencorrib GWS in Mayo was among the Excellence Flag recipients.
The Water Safety Planning and Quality Assurance category recognises schemes which have demonstrated excellence in implementing water safety plans and quality assurance measures to safeguard public health and maintain high-quality drinking water.
The overall winner was Dysart-Toonagh GWS, with Excellence Flags also awarded to Clew Bay GWS in Mayo, Doohamlet GWS in Monaghan, Kiltiernan GWS in Galway, Mid Roscommon GWS, The Heath GWS in Laois and Sliabh An Iarainn GWS in Leitrim.
The Water Demand Management and Climate Action category recognised schemes which have introduced measures to reduce water demand, improve efficiency, conserve resources and contribute to climate action.
West Limerick GWS took the overall award. Excellence Flags went to Ballacolla GWS and The Heath GWS in Laois; Ballinagar, Clareen and Eglish and Drumcullen Rath GWS in Offaly; Doohamlet and Glaslough-Tyholland GWS in Monaghan; Kilmaley-Inagh GWS in Clare; PBKS GWS in Mayo; and West Limerick GWS.
In Biodiversity Enhancement, PBKS GWS took the overall award, with Excellence Flags awarded to Belcarra GWS and PBKS GWS in Mayo, English Drumcullen Rath GWS in Offaly and Kilmaley-Inagh GWS in Clare.
The Community Engagement category saw Excellence Flags awarded to Ballinagar GWS in Offaly, Curraglass GWS in Cork, Cappataggle District Community GWS in Galway, Carrigahorig/Milford GWS in Tipperary, Dysart-Toonagh GWS in Clare, Glencorrib GWS in Mayo, Kilkenny West GWS in Kilkenny, Meath Hill GWS in Meath and Multyfarnham GWS in Westmeath.
Speaking at the event, NFGWS CEO Mark Farrelly said the awards celebrate the community spirit which has sustained rural water services in Ireland.
“Behind every award and every nomination are dedicated people who give their time, expertise and energy to ensure their communities have access to high-quality drinking water,” he said.
He added that the achievements of the schemes demonstrate what can be achieved through cooperation, commitment and local leadership.
Minister of State Christopher O'Sullivan also congratulated the winners, saying the growth of the awards over the past six years was a testament to developments across the sector.
“The Excellence Awards continue to showcase the best of the group water scheme sector and are a great way to promote the schemes' achievements among the wider community,” he said.
The awards formed part of the Rural Water Services Conference, held under the theme “Community Solutions for Rural Water Challenges”, highlighting the role of local communities in developing resilient and sustainable rural water services.
The National Federation of Group Water Schemes is now encouraging schemes across the country to build on this year's awards and begin showcasing their achievements ahead of the 2027 GWS Excellence Awards.