The national strategy agreed some years ago between my Department, the Local Authorities, the then National Rural Water Monitoring Committee and the National Federation of Group Water Schemes for the provision of water treatment facilities in privately sourced group water schemes was based on Design/Build/Operate (DBO) procurement, coupled with the bundling of a number of schemes under a single contract. This was considered the best method of ensuring both value for money in terms of the whole life cost of the investment, and ensuring that quality improvements are sustained. All the bundles of DBO contracts are now substantially complete and my Department has no proposals for any new group water scheme DBO projects under its Rural Water Programme.
Proposals for the resolution of the issue that has arisen in the case of a bundled DBO group water scheme project in Mayo are being followed up on by Mayo County Council, which has responsibility for the administration of the Rural Water Programme in Mayo.
