1 Water Services Training Group 16 th Annual Conference Water Sector Reform Programme Implementation INEC, Killarney, 8 th November 2012
Water Sector Reform Programme Implementation Future Role of Local Authorities in the Water Sector and Transition Tom Barry County Manager Carlow County Council
Overview of Water Services in Ireland 34 Water Authorities 950 Treatment Plants 25, 000 kms of pipe network 1 Million domestic consumers 160,000 commercial consumers
Current Financial Model Operation and Maintenance Costs € 712m (2012) Commercial Water Income €259m Local Government Sources €453m Capital Investment €4.6bn 2011 €435m 2012 €371m 2014 €296m
Delivery of Water Services Reduction in Local Authority Staffing ,243 2012 (Feb)29,000 Water Services Staffing 15% approx Public Private Partnership Schemes
Key Drivers of Reform EU | IMF | ECB Agreement Introduction of Water Charges
Major Reform Issue for Local Government Water..... an essential service Link with other services - Land use planning - Future economic development - Emergency responses to severe weather - Fire service - Surface water drainage - Transfer of assets of €11.2bn
Water Pricing Policy/Rates
Benefits of a Public Utility Model Build on strengths of the existing system Develop a sustainable financial model Lever additional funding for investment
Importance of Transitional Arrangements Continuity of operation Build a ‘fit for purpose’ public utility Local Authority role Department role
Irish Water – Partnership with Local Authorities Planned exit of Local Authorities New inter-dependencies - Emergency management - Fire protection - Planning and development - Environment regulation - Interface with the elected members at local level