Written Answers. - Water Conservation.
Ivor Callely
Ceist:
89
Mr. Callely
asked the
Minister for the Environment and Local Government
the measures being taken to conserve domestic water supplies, especially in the Dublin area; the estimated amount of wastage; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[19158/01]
Trevor Sargent
Ceist:
340
Mr. Sargent
asked the
Minister for the Environment and Local Government
the investment under the national development plan in water conservation measures compared to the cost of increasing treated water supply; and his views on whether investment in water conservation represents better value for money litre for litre.
[19988/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 89 and 340 together.
Water conservation is a major focus of planned investment in water services under the national development plan. The NDP provides for expenditure of £550 million on the rehabilitation and management of water and waste water infrastructure, of which £291 million has been allocated to water conservation measures. The NDP also includes provision of £645 million for other water supply works, including distribution network extensions and increases in treatment capacity.
A strategic study of the greater Dublin water supply was completed in 1996 which estimated that unaccounted for water represented 44% of the total water produced in the greater Dublin region. A major water conservation programme costing £39 million, launched on foot of the report, was completed in the Dublin region during 2000. The effectiveness of the programme can be gauged by,inter alia, capacity being available to service 25,000 extra housing units, the cessation of night water rationing previously affecting up to 150,000 consumers and a 5% to 10% increase in city water pressures. Unaccounted for water in the region – mainly water that is produced at source but lost from the system due to leakage – was reduced by 16%. Further reductions in unaccounted for water will be achieved through the ongoing active leakage control measures being operated by the local authorities concerned and upcoming proposals for substantial mains rehabilitation. The outcome of the Dublin region water conservation programme establishes that water conservation, in addition to the environmental benefits, is a practical, realistic and economic way of meeting much of the extra demand facing local authorities generally due to social and economic expansion.
In addition to the physical improvement to the distribution network, regular public awareness campaigns are carried out at local level by the Dublin authorities to encourage the public to conserve water by eliminating wasteful usage. At national level, a major awareness campaign was launched by the Department in 1999 to encourage individual action and shared responsibility towards the environment. The campaign is designed to address key environmental themes, including water conservation.
As regards the position outside Dublin, a comprehensive study of all large water supply schemes was carried out for my Department in 2000. The study examined 91 water supply schemes, operated by some 38 local authorities, and reported on all aspects of supply, including availability of raw water, treatment capacity, capacity and condition of water distribution systems and associated management issues. As a direct response to the study, I announced earlier this year an investment package of almost £300 million for an expanded national water conservation programme and a range of other measures to deal with the issues identified in the study. The new water conservation programme aims to substantially reduce current levels of unaccounted for water, thereby improving the level of supply to customers, lowering operating costs and maximising the value of investment in capital works.
Comparisons in costings between water conservation measures and increases in treated water capacity vary from scheme to scheme, depending on individual circumstances. However, at current high leakage levels, water conservation would generally be the more cost efficient option where it was capable of producing the increased yield required.
