Waterford City has once again claimed the title of the cleanest city in the country in the latest IBAL Anti-Litter League Final 2025 Survey, with inspectors awarding top marks to the vast majority of sites visited.
The results reinforce Waterford City’s reputation for cleanliness, as 19 of the 24 locations surveyed achieved a Grade A rating.
Inspectors highlighted major improvements at previously problematic sites, including the former Woodpecker site on the Dunmore Road and the Bring Facility at Tesco Ardkeen, both of which earned the top litter grade.
They described popular and high-profile areas such as The Mall, the Viking and Museum Quarter, People’s Park and the Waterford Courthouse grounds as exceptionally well presented and spotless.
Despite increased footfall from Waterford Winterval activities, inspectors recorded no negative impact on litter levels in the city centre.
They also awarded Grade A ratings to the Bus Éireann station on the Quays, the William Vincent Wallace Plaza, the Outer Ring Road approach to University Hospital Waterford and the Greenway car park, citing consistent maintenance and attention to detail.
Inspectors marked down some locations, including the Apple Market Car Park, Morgan Street and parts of Ballybeg, due to litter and dumping, highlighting a boarded-up property at Ardmore Park as a significant concern.
Overall, Ballybeg recorded another strong performance, ranking 23rd out of 40 towns and cities surveyed and meeting European cleanliness standards.
Council Response
Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Seamus Ryan welcomed the IBAL league results, saying, “Waterford city is proving time and time again that it is undoubtedly Ireland’s Cleanest city. This most recent survey has highlighted not just the areas that are consistently clean, but the areas that have made significant improvements in their approach to becoming litter-free.”
“It takes a huge effort to retain this title, and I would like to commend Waterford City and County Council’s cleansing team, the many residents’ associations, Tidy Towns’ committees and local business groups for once again ensuring Waterford is the cleanest city in Ireland.”
Ella Ryan, Environmental Awareness Officer with Waterford City and County Council added, “The efforts and dedication of Council staff and volunteer groups have paid dividends, as Waterford can proudly claim to be a city that is cleaner than European norms.
“It is a title that we will strive to retain through collaborative efforts and a schedule of initiatives and programmes that encourage us all to have pride in a litter-free Waterford.”
IBAL said sustained effort and improved management continue to drive progress across Waterford City, while also pointing to the need for further action to address dumping and neglect in certain areas.
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