Vol. 442 No. 8
39 Mr. E. Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment the facilities and assistance available to group water schemes and their trustees to upsize and improve old water pipe systems in order that these are acceptable to local authorities for eventual takeover; the level of assistance involved; the criteria necessary for approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Grants of up to £700 per house are available for renewal works on existing group schemes where the quantity or quality of the water supply is unsatisfactory due to deficiencies in the source or the distribution system. My Department provides technical advice and assistance to groups in such cases, including, where appropriate, assistance with the preparation of designs for major improvement works or extensions to schemes. My Department has also compiled a number of information leaflets to assist groups in the maintenance of schemes and in planning new works to replace or improve existing schemes. County councils provide advice on matters relating to the take-over of group schemes.
