(South Tipperary) asked the Minister for Local Government if he will consider setting up a small technical advisory group with special engineering, actuarial and geological experience to advise and co-operate with each local authority on the question of rural water supplies, with special reference to the question of grouped versus regional gravitational schemes, particularly in those areas as yet largely in the preparatory or planning stages.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rural Water Supplies.
26.
The question of the best method or combination of methods of supplying water in a particular area is a matter in the first instance for the sanitary authority concerned. Each sanitary authority was advised by me in September, 1959, to have regard, when considering water supply proposals, to various scientific and demographic consideration, including all the relevant engineering and geological factors, and to possible variations in demand due to population changes, industrial development and so on. When such proposals are being examined in the Department, my egineering and administrative advisers also take these considerations into full account. I am keeping under review the maintenance of as full a liaison as may be necessary between my advisers and those of the sanitary authorities. The main purpose of the surveys carried out by local authorities, at my request, was to ascertain which type of scheme, regional, group or a combination of those types is most suitable for each area, having regard to topographical and other factors.