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Water Quality.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 April 2004

Thursday, 29 April 2004

Questions (48, 49)

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

43 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has satisfied himself regarding the adequacy of the domestic drinking water supply throughout the country; if sufficient storage exists or is planned and the extent of which; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12313/04]

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Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

143 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if adequate provision has been made to ensure sufficient ongoing supply of domestic drinking water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12419/04]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 143 together.

The national development plan provides €4.4 billion for investment in water services infrastructure up to the end of 2006. This is approximately three times the amount expended during the 1994 to 1999 period. Expenditure by my Department on water services infrastructure this year will be of the order of €450 million. Substantial increases in water treatment and storage capacity are being achieved as a result of this increased investment. Schemes completed since 1997 have produced additional drinking water treatment capacity equivalent to the needs of a population of 968,000. The increase in water treatment capacity in the period 2000 to 2003 was sufficient to meet the requirements of a population of 560,000 people. The increase in storage capacity produced between 2000 and 2003 was sufficient to meet the requirements of a population of 765,000, representing 89% of the corresponding output in the 1994-1999 period.

Details of approved proposals for further new and upgraded public water supply schemes are set out in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2003-2005, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library. The schemes included in the programme are mainly derived from regular assessments of needs undertaken by local authorities, at my Department's request, as an input to the overall strategy for meeting additional water supply requirements. The assessments will continue to be taken into account in future phases of the programme.

Earlier this year, I announced a record allocation of €110 million for the 2004 rural water programme. The main focus of this allocation is on the provision and improvement of water supplies in the private group water schemes sector. Overall, I am satisfied that the resources being put in place are sufficient to ensure that the coverage and quality of the national water supply infrastructure adequately caters for all demands placed on it.

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