The focus of our research interest in County Mayo is the Lough Carra Catchment Association and associated communities around the lough and its Group Water Schemes. In mid-October, we met with two local ecologists (who have been campaigning for environmental action over the lough for more than a decade) and a part-time farmer involved in the Robeen Group Water Scheme. After a chat in a cafeteria in Balla, we were given a tour of the lough and one of its main tributaries, the Annies River. Having grown up in the area, the farmer was concerned over the slow deterioration of water quality in the lough. For the past three years, the Robeen GWS has been on a Boil Water Notice. Efforts are underway to secure funding to improve the site with a water treatment facility.