SSI Environmental supplies drain-blocking and erosion control materials  plastic dam sheeting, geotextile membranes and silt fencing  for bog rewetting and peatland restoration projects across Ireland. Used by contractors and ecological consultancies working on raised bog, blanket bog and cutaway peatland sites, with nationwide delivery from Dublin.

Bog Rewetting Ireland  Drain Blocking & Peatland Restoration Supplies

Ireland has historically drained the large majority of its peatlands for turf-cutting, forestry and agriculture, and that drainage continues to release significant carbon every year. Reversing it is now a national priority  through the Peatlands Climate Action Scheme, The Living Bog LIFE project, and a growing number of council and privately-funded rewetting pilots  and every one of those projects depends on getting the right drain-blocking materials on site without delay.

What Is Bog Rewetting, and Why Does It Matter?

Bog rewetting means blocking the historic drains cut into a bog so the water table rises back to within roughly 10cm of the surface, allowing peat-forming vegetation like sphagnum moss to return. Done well, it stops further carbon loss, restores habitat for birds, plants and insects, and slows the release of water downstream  reducing flood risk in the surrounding catchment.

Materials Used in Drain Blocking & Bog Rewetting

Material	Use	Best For
Plastic dam sheeting / piling	Impermeable drain block, fast install	Narrow drains and sites needing quick, low-disturbance blocking
Peat dams	Traditional dam built from site-won peat	Sites where the contractor builds dams from a local borrow pit
Geotextile / silt fencing	Sediment control around works and bunds	Protecting watercourses during construction and restoration works
Coir mesh / erosion matting	Stabilising bare peat and re-vegetation areas	Re-profiled or bare cutaway bog surfaces after restoration

Who We Supply

• Restoration contractors working on NPWS, Bord na Móna and Coillte programmes
• Ecological consultancies delivering EU LIFE-funded and privately-funded rewetting projects
• County council biodiversity officers running local peatland or wetland restoration schemes
• Landowners and farmers undertaking paludiculture or carbon/biodiversity-payment-linked rewetting

Why Source Drain-Blocking Materials From SSI Environmental

• Nationwide stock and delivery from our Dublin base  no waiting on slow imported geotextile or dam sheeting
• Already trusted across construction and forestry for sediment & erosion control, with the same materials directly applicable to peatland restoration works
• Pair drain-blocking supplies with booms or spill containment where restoration works are near a watercourse
• Cross-selling habitat projects? See our bird box range for combined biodiversity site packages
• Technical advice on the right material for your drain profile and site access

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is bog rewetting and why is it being done in Ireland?

A: Bog rewetting blocks historic drains on peatland to raise the water table back to near the surface, stopping carbon release, restoring habitat and reducing downstream flood risk. It underpins major Irish programmes including the Peatlands Climate Action Scheme and The Living Bog.

Q: How does drain blocking work on a bog restoration site?

A: Contractors install a series of dams along a drain  built from site peat or plastic sheeting  spaced to bring the water table back within roughly 10cm of the bog surface, allowing peat-forming vegetation to return.

Q: What materials are used to block bog drains?

A: Peat dams built from site-won peat, plastic dam sheeting or piling for fast, low-disturbance blocking, and geotextiles, silt fencing or coir matting to control sediment and stabilise re-profiled surfaces.

Q: Is bog rewetting a grant or scheme requirement?

A: Many rewetting projects are delivered under state schemes such as the Peatlands Climate Action Scheme, EU LIFE funding, or emerging carbon and biodiversity payment schemes  requirements vary by site and funding source, so check your specific scheme conditions.

Q: Can SSI Environmental supply materials for a peatland restoration contract?

A: Yes. We supply plastic dam sheeting, geotextiles, silt fencing and erosion control matting nationwide for contractors and consultancies working on bog rewetting and drain-blocking projects.

Q: Do you supply silt fencing and erosion control for bog restoration sites?

A: Yes. Our existing sediment and erosion control range, including silt fencing and coir mesh, is widely used to protect watercourses and stabilise bare peat during and after restoration works.

Q: Can you deliver bog restoration materials nationwide?

A: Yes  nationwide delivery from our Dublin base, sized for both small community-led projects and large-scale contracted programmes.

Q: What’s the difference between a peat dam and a plastic dam?

A: A peat dam is built by hand or machine from site-won peat and blends naturally into the bog. A plastic dam uses sheeting or piling for a faster, more consistent seal, particularly useful on narrow drains or where peat for borrowing is limited.

Sourcing materials for a peatland restoration or drain-blocking project? Contact SSI Environmental for nationwide supply and technical advice.

Call 01 8665676 or Donal Sheerin on 087-9367065  |  enquiries@ssienvironmental.ie