Science Direct is keen to promote the research project below and the survey of private well owners in Ireland: UCD, UL and DIT are currently engaged in a research project co-funded by the Geological Survey Ireland and the IRC looking at the increased incidence of flooding in Ireland and its potential effects on groundwater quality, and human health. As part of this project, our excellent researcher, Ms. Luisa Andrade, has developed an online survey to gather valuable insight from Irish private well owners and users. The responses will be used to inform guidelines for policymakers and the public on what to do if flooding occurs near groundwater supplies. We invite any person living in Ireland that utilises a private well or is part of a private group water scheme to take part in the Survey through this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HQ6WD69 If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Thank you very much for your time, participation, and any assistance with dissemination you may be able to offer. With kindest regards, Jean Dr. Jean O’Dwyer BSc,PhD Environmental Scientist Department of Biological Sciences School of Natural Sciences University of Limerick Phone +353 86 333 76 36 E-mail Jean.ODwyer@ul.ie

Blue Planet II was wonderful viewing, but disappointing not to see any footage from local waters. We have amazing marine life around our own shores, even in this cold weather. This little fish is a pogge (Agonus cataphractus) photgraphed on a night dive in Oysterhaven, Co. Cork, last week. I love the reflection of my torch in its eye!

Christmas is now just around the corner and our lab and office will be closed over the holiday period. Our last receipt times for water samples for testing are as follows: • Any samples requiring microbiology must be received by midday on Tuesday 19th December • Any samples that require chemistry only (i.e. with no microbiology) must be received by midday on Wednesday 20th December We re-open on Tuesday 2nd January 2018. Tom and I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Best wishes, Tim and Tom

Public consultation re the Draft River Basin Managment Plan (RBMP) contiunues in Cork. A public briefing session is scheduled for Cork City Hall on Friday 1st December at 7:30pm. The focus of this session will be discussion on the Areas for Action in Cork (city and county). Areas for Action are water bodies (streams, rivers, lakes, transitional and coastal) that are being prioritised for attention in the next phase of the RBMP in terms of ensuring that water quality complies with the requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive. If you know of water bodies that should be added to the list of Areas for Action, then this is your opportunity to put your case forward!

After Hurricane Ophelia we currently have no power in the lab and no internet and phone connection. There is no mobile or roaming internet coverage either. I’m doing this post using my mobile phone as an internet hub as I can just about connect to a slow speed roaming signal if I’m upstairs in my own house! We are trying to source a generator but these are in short supply at the moment! Even with a generator, we have very limited capacity to run samples. We don’t know how long it will take for power to be reconnected. As far as we can tell, the breakage is outside Monard Glen and the electricity supply through the wood to the lab is unbroken. Our power failure seems to be part of the larger outage in the Blarney area. I would guess that this would be quite high up the priority list for the ESB, but we can’t tell for certain. I'll update when I can. Tim

Tim is attending a meeting of the National Water Forum today. The Forum is a stakeholder body represnting groups with an interest in water quality, including tourism, agriculture, business, education, environmental groups, water consumers, and water sports. Tim, as a member of the Irish Underwater Council, is representing recreational watrer users. On the passing of the Water Services Bill (2017), the Forum will become a statutory body providing advice and observation relating to water quality issues to Government and Irish Water.

Tim will continue to contribute to the National Water Forum this September. The Forum facilitates stakeholder engagement and debate on issues relating to water as a resource, water quality, rural water concerns, issues affecting customers of Irish Water and issues associated with the implementation of the Water Framework Directive.

Science Direct is not a political organisation. However, the following petition is of wide interest as it intends to get the idea of protecting soil on the national and international agenda. Healthy soils are important for many reasons, not least because the act as a filter for rainwater as it percolates down into the groundwater. https://uplift.ie/soil-rights/

Nice artwork by Tom, in the garden at The Speckled Door, Old Head of Kinsale!

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