Groundwater – Activities

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The Groundwater and Geothermal Unit runs a wide range of ongoing activities to develop the understanding Ireland’s groundwater, karst and goethermal energy potential in Ireland.  We also run a series of outreach events to promote the importance of groundwater.

Understanding Ireland’s groundwater

Find out what activities the groundwater section runs to develop the understand of Ireland’s groundwater. 

Understanding Irish karst

Karst is a landscape that develops on rock that can be dissolved by water. Approximately 45% of Ireland is underlain by limestone and consequently karst is very significant in Ireland.

Supporting Ireland’s environment

The groundwater section supports Ireland’s environment by supporting the Water Framework Directive; providing advice on Groundwater in Environmental Impact Assessment (Planning) and Groundwater dependant ecosystems.

Groundwater flooding

​Find out about groundwater flooding in Ireland and how the groundwater section is addressing the knowledge gap surrounding this geohazard.

Groundwater Newsletter

The Groundwater Newsletter disseminates information on all aspects of groundwater in Ireland and further afield.  

Geothermal energy

Geothermal energy is the heat that exists beneath the surface of the Earth. Ireland has abundant geothermal energy resources that are as yet largely untapped. Geothermal energy is proven to be secure, environmentally sustainable, effectively carbon-neutral and cost-effective over long-term periods, and can play an important role in decarbonising Ireland’s heat energy sector.

We provide scientific advice and expertise in this area to support new policies and regulations developed by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. We are developing a new National Geothermal database to promote the use of this clean natural resource.