asked the Minister for the Environment having regard to the very poor pressure of a large proportion of water supplies in the southern areas of Dublin city and county, when it is expected that the works under way to improve supplies will be completed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Water Supplies.
7.
The provision, operation and maintenance of public water supplies in the southern areas of Dublin city and county is primarily a matter for Dublin Corporation and Dublin County Council. However, I have had inquiries made of the relevant local authorities and I am informed that the position is as follows.
Dublin Corporation state that the water pressure in the southern part of the city is generally satisfactory but if there are particular areas experiencing problems these will be investigated by the corporation on receipt of details.
Dublin County Council concede that, due to the huge increase in population, there are water supply problems in parts of those areas which are in south County Dublin, particularly in high areas and at the ends of the present supply system. The council have formulated proposals—the Rathmichael Water Supply Scheme—which will substantially improve the local water storage and distribution system. Contract documents for a new reservoir at Rathmichael with a storage capacity of 2.31 million gallons were received by my Department on 23 July 1981. Revised proposals for the water distribution mains from Rathmichael reservoir, together with a proposal to construct an advance section of those mains were submitted by the council on 26 August 1981. By letter dated 16 October 1981, my Department have conveyed approval in principle to the revised water distribution system. They have requested the submission of revised contract documents for Rathmichael reservoir following discussions between the council's and my Departments technical staffs.
On 9 October 1981, Dublin County Council submitted working drawings for the execution of an advance section of the water distribution mains by direct labour at an estimated cost of £207,000. The certificate of completion of planning of the advanced section was received from the council on 14 October 1981. The proposals for the advance section are under consideration in my Department.
As the Minister is a fellow sufferer with me and about half a million other dehydrated and insufficiently washed citizens, I am sure I have his support. Is he not aware that within a mile of where he lives—I am happy to have him within my constituency—Dublin Corporation have on many occasions advised public representatives and citizens that the water supply pressure will be considerably improved once the new main line is completed? Would the Minister not agree that there appears to be some conflict between what has been said by Dublin Corporation in individual letters and the information which has been supplied to him by the corporation in reply to this question? Will the Minister do his best to resolve this conflict and ensure that the water supply is dramatically improved?
Indeed I will. I believe the Deputy is referring to the Ballymore Eustace scheme which is coming into operation. There is now the matter of a number of areas coupling up and bringing pressure in. This is in progress and the pressure has improved in a number of areas. I would hope during the next few months to see a significant improvement and I will follow up this matter with the corporation
Has the Minister any information in his Department which would indicate that on frequent occasions there is a chronic shortage of water in parts of the city and county and that the reductions in pressure which occur in many areas are a deliberate act on the part of the local authorities who attempt to conserve water by reducing pressure?
This is a matter for the local authorities and it would be imprudent of me to indicate to them how they should operate their supply system. I will take up the matter with Dublin Corporation to see what can be done to improve water supply.
Does the Minister not consider it unsatisfactory that an admission of general dissatisfaction about the water supply in Dublin city and in some quarters in County Dublin is at variance with the knowledge of Deputy Richie Ryan and does he not consider it unusual that information of that kind should be given to the House?
This might arise in County Kildare.
I am not saying the information I have received is incorrect.
The information is incorrect.
I have said I will be in touch with Dublin Corporation in an effort to have the whole question of the city water supply examined. I do not accept that the information I have been given is incorrect.