Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 May 2013
136. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will approve proposals presented to his Department by Roscommon County Council to address the cryptosporidium problem in the Roscommon central regional water supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24924/13]
View answerA proposal to address the cryptosporidium problem on the Roscommon Central Regional Water Supply was received from Roscommon County Council in my Department on Friday evening, 17 May. The Council proposes to install a temporary water treatment plant at the Ballinagard Springs and to close the Rockfied source. On 21 May I gave my approval to the Council’s proposal. The total cost of providing the temporary treatment plant is estimated at some €412,000 and my Department will fund the works under the Small Public Water Supply Schemes programme.
My Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library, provides for the development of a comprehensive range of new water services infrastructure in County Roscommon. The Roscommon Central Regional Water Supply Scheme, Water Treatment Plant (Ballinagard Springs), which is part of the bundled Four Roscommon Regional Water Supply Schemes, is included in the Programme as a contract to start construction. This scheme will provide a permanent solution to the cryptosporidiosis problems in the area.
I approved the Contract Documents for Contract No. 2 - DBO Water Treatment Works for the Four Roscommon Regional Water Supply Schemes – Arigna, Boyle/Ardcarne, Roscommon Central and South Roscommon Regional Water Supply Schemes in March 2013. Tenders for these four schemes are due to be submitted to Roscommon County Council in early July and when the Council submission in that regard is received in my Department it will be dealt with as quickly as possible.
