Councillor Nicholas Crossan has said current proposals to roll out a river basin management plan will effect everyone in the future - including builders, farmers, fishermen amongst hosts more and he is encouraging Inishowen people to read up and put forward their views.

The water framework directive, adopted back in 2000, requires government chiefs to take a new approach in relation to water and managing their waters. And county Donegal is the first county in the country which will have changes made to management of its water.

Cllr Crossan told the Journal: "Donegal is being a pilot for the whole of Ireland - so it is very important.

"It is going to affect farmers, fishermen, environment groups and anyone using water treatment plants.

"I am trying to get the message out there to the public of its importance.

"It is like a town plan - no one really thinks about it until changes start being made.

"But it will effect planning permission, for people looking for houses - they need sceptic tanks.

"We have to maintain the quality of water.

"It is good at the moment because water is not scarce - it is plentiful.

"But once it is contaminated it is hard to bring back again.

"What this council is set up to do is to protect and sustain the water to maintain each of our rivers and lakes."

He said there may be a stricter criteria brought about for the use of sceptic tanks - once this plan is rolled out.

He added: "I am trying to get as much information out there as possible.

"In Donegal we are very lucky because the standard of water up here is very good.

"We were asked to see how we can maintain that standard and see if it can be improved.

"The main message now is that there is slightly more to the people living in rural ireland.

"If they are hoping for planning permission to find out about this river basis plan.

"When the recession is over and the houses are starting again people will see there is no sewerage infrastructure here and will want to put up sceptic tanks, the answer will be providing they are the proper ones.

"There is a certain standard of sceptic tanks at the moment but it will be more stringent and certainly they will be monitored.

"I don't think anybody realises how serious this is going to be."

Between now and December 22 the North Western International River Basin District is open to submissions. And a publication of the draft plan will be available between January and July 2009.

There will be an objection period until October 16 2009.

For more information about the project, log on to www.nwirbd.com