Rural Water Programme 2006 Evaluation of Progress Jim Ganley Jim Ganley Water Services Water Services

Findings of the European Court of Justice Ireland failed to fulfil its obligations under the Drinking Water Direstive by Ireland failed to fulfil its obligations under the Drinking Water Direstive by –failure to ensure compliance with the microbiological parameters in certain public and group water schemes. –failure to reflect binding character of the Directive in relation to Group Schemes.

Article 228(1) of the Treaty establishing the EC Article 228(1) of the Treaty establishing the EC –if the ECJ finds that a Member State has failed to fulfil an obligation under the Treaty, the State is required to take the necessary measures to comply with the judgement of the Court.

Article 228 letter to the Minister for Foreign Affairs states Article 228 letter to the Minister for Foreign Affairs states –28% of Group Schemes non-compliant with E-Coli parameters –47% non-compliant with total coliform parameters –Ireland currently non-compliant with ECJ judgement –Ireland failing to fulfil its obligations under Article 228 (1) of the Treaty

PENALTIES European Commission may refer a case to the ECJ and specify the level of sanction / penalty to be imposed, including European Commission may refer a case to the ECJ and specify the level of sanction / penalty to be imposed, including –amount of lump sum –amount of penalty (daily fines) –amount of both

Rural Water Programme A multi-annual programme of Investment to upgrade the quality and efficiency of rural water services to upgrade the quality and efficiency of rural water services Provision of €644 under the NDP Provision of €644 under the NDP ERDF co-financing under the Regional O.P.’s ERDF co-financing under the Regional O.P.’s –BMW Regional OP - €34.82m –S&E Regional OP - €23.17m Funding of €145 in 2006 Funding of €145 in 2006 Block Grant Allocations to County Councils of €133m. Block Grant Allocations to County Councils of €133m.

Rural Water Action Plan Drawn up in response to National / EU Drinking Water LegislationNational / EU Drinking Water Legislation Findings of European Court of JusticeFindings of European Court of Justice Water Services Bill and Regulation RequirementsWater Services Bill and Regulation Requirements Government Commitment to Rural / Regional Development and improvement in Water Services.Government Commitment to Rural / Regional Development and improvement in Water Services.

Action Plan ,293 Group Water Schemes 623 Private Source670 connected to the Public Main 429 require upgrading 240 Treatment / Disinfection DBO / Bundling 142 Connect to the Public Main 47 Takeover 194 Disinfection / Sterilisation Improved O&M Chlorine Residual

Action Plan Summary Position at September 2004 Provide Treatment / Disinfection-240 Provide Treatment / Disinfection-240 Connect to Public Main-142 Connect to Public Main-142 Takeover by Local Authority- 47 Takeover by Local Authority- 47 Disinfection / Sterilisation-194 Disinfection / Sterilisation-194 Total projects for completion by Total projects for completion by

Rural Water Programme 2005 – Physical Progress Schemes with a Private Source 637 Compliant Non-Compliant Compliant Non-Compliant Identified Solutions DBO263 Connecting to Public Main154 Takeover 61 Disinfection / Sterilisation

Rural Water Programme 2006 Position at 8 June 2006 Position at 8 June 2006 –Provide Treatment / Disinfection280 –Connect to the Public Main122 –Takeover by Local Authority 60 –Disinfection / Sterilisation119 –Total Projects581

Rural Water Programme 2006 Submissions / Forecasts Submissions / Forecasts 282 individual group schemes to be upgraded 282 individual group schemes to be upgraded 70 new DBO plants to be completed by end new DBO plants to be completed by end new DBO plants to be advanced, half getting to construction in new DBO plants to be advanced, half getting to construction in schemes to be linked to public water supply networks 190 schemes to be linked to public water supply networks 194 schemes to get improved disinfection 194 schemes to get improved disinfection

Water Quality Monitoring NRWMC monitoring programme ended in Jan 2005 NRWMC monitoring programme ended in Jan 2005 Gaps apparent in 2005 monitoring programme – must be plugged in 2006 Gaps apparent in 2005 monitoring programme – must be plugged in 2006 No other way of demonstrating progress with Action Plan and ECJ requirements No other way of demonstrating progress with Action Plan and ECJ requirements Must be fully compatible with new DWNMP. Must be fully compatible with new DWNMP.