Department of Environment, Heritage & Local Government/Local Authority Interface Wednesday 3 November 2004 Tullamore REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RURAL WATER PROGRAMME Jim Ganley Water Services

Rural Water Programme A multi-annual programme of Investment to upgrade the quality and efficiency of rural water services Provision of €644m under the NDP ERDF co-financing under the Regional O.P.’s – BMW Regional OP - €34.82m – S&E Regional OP - €23.17m Funding of €120m in 2004 Block Grant Allocations to County Councils of €94m.

Rural Water Programme 2004 Summary Progress variable – from excellent to disappointing Expenditure below forecast Resource constraints at technical and admin levels Reporting/Communication problems evident Many Schemes without a long-term, sustainable solution.

Action Plan ,293 Group Water Schemes 623 Private Source 670 connected to Public Main 429 Require upgrading 240 Treatment / Disinfection / DBO / Bundling 142 Connect to Public Main 47 Takeover 194 Disinfection / Sterilisation  Improved O&M  Chlorine Residual

Action Plan Summary Position at November 2004 Provide Treatment/Disinfection Connect to Public Main Takeover by Local Authority - 47 Disinfection/Sterilisation Total projects for completion by

DBO Summary 17 Bundles 17 Counties involved Serving 240 schemes €30m allocated in 2004 Mayo 43, S & E 41, Galway 39, Roscommon 29, Cavan 28, Limerick 20, Monaghan 14

Measure 1 : Connect to Public Main Equal priority with DBO and Takeover. 142 schemes identified in 16 counties. Determined on the basis of sound economic and engineering assessment. Public procurement in accordance with PGD - Part C. Must be completed by end Top five – Mayo 46, Galway 34, Leitrim 19, Donegal 11, Limerick 8.

Measure 2 : Takeover by Local Authority Equal priority with DBO and connecting to the Public Main. Must be agreed with Group. 47 schemes identified in 17 counties. Must be completed by end Top five – Cork 7, Donegal 6, Kerry 5, Wicklow 4, 5 counties with 3 each.

Measure 3 : Provision of Disinfection / Sterilisation Only where water chemistry is suitable. Must not result in THM production. Risk assessment from location, topography land use, surface of ground water. Management and operation / maintenance capacity. Top five – Galway 61, Mayo 59, Cork 25, Kilkenny 11, Offaly 11.

Top 10 – All Measures PlaceCountyNo. of projects 1.Galway134 2.Mayo130 3.Limerick 40 4.Roscommon 32 5.Cavan 28 6.Donegal 27 7.Kilkenny 23 8.Offaly 18 9.Sligo Monaghan 11

Rural Water Programme 2004 Capital Allocations Allocated Drawn % €m €m Total Block Grants % DBO & Advance Works Connecting to Public Mains Takeover New/Upgrading Small Public Schemes

Administration of the devolved RWP Recoupments made in respect of the cost of administering the programme Recoupment in 2003 amounted to - € (Admin. costs) €0.800 (Liaison Officer) Eligible costs include -Rural Water Liaison Officer salary -Technical Officers – Engineers, Technicians, Clerk-of-Works (part or wholetime) -Clerical/Admin costs Submit recoupment claims by end November -signed by DOS -confine to eligible officers only -apportion on basis of time

To Do List Review expenditure to end 2004 and advise of savings/excess Submit recoupment claims by end Nov. Submit funding proposals for 2005 with emphasis on – Improving water quality – Schemes with private source in particular – Setting out contractual commitments where appropriate. Review implementation programme Ensure a sustainable solution is identified for all problem schemes Report progress