Vol. 467 No. 6
77 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for the Environment the current position regarding the upgrading of the water supply to the South Dublin County Council area, with particular regard to the active leakage contact programme and the installation of telemetry equipment to monitor supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13832/96]
Arising from the Greater Dublin Water Supply Strategic Study, I approved a major integrated water conservation project to actively reduce leakage in the greater Dublin distribution system from just under 40 per cent to 20 per cent over an initial five year period. It is estimated that this will yield savings in the region of 20 million gallons of water per day. A Cohesion Fund application, seeking EU co-financing for this project was submtted to the European Commission in March this year. The public procurement procedures to select specialist leakage reduction service providers have already commenced. The water conservation project includes, inter alia, the provision of infrastructure such as telemetry to monitor and maintain achieved levels of leakage reduction and to facilitate more efficient management of Dublin's water resources. The project will benefit all relevant local authorities in the greater Dublin area, including South Dublin County Council.
A major expansion and refurbishment project is at present under way at the Leixlip water plant. This project will increase the plant's treatment capacity from 22 million gallons per day to 38 million gallons per day. The work already completed at the Leixlip plant has resulted in significant additional supplies being made available to the Dublin area. I have also approved contract documents for the construction of a new clearwater tank and pumping station which, when completed, will allow for improved distribution within the greater Dublin area.
