Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 March 2006
219 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the total domestic water storage capacity, the estimated daily domestic and industrial use; if he has satisfied himself that adequate storage facilities are available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9734/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraSome €3.7 billion will be spent under the National Development Plan 2000-2006 on the provision of water services infrastructure. Substantial increases in water treatment and storage capacity, both for domestic and industrial use, are being achieved as a result of this investment. Schemes completed since 1997 have produced additional drinking water treatment capacity equivalent to the needs of a population of 1,073,000. The increase in storage capacity over the same period was sufficient to meet the requirements of a population of 1,583,000.
Management of public drinking water supplies is the responsibility of the local authorities, who have a range of instruments and measures available to them to conserve sufficient stocks to meet anticipated needs and ensure quality standards. In addition, my Department co-ordinates and finances a major programme of investment in improved infrastructure, active leakage control, telemetry and rehabilitation of watermains. Details of such projects that have been approved for funding by my Department are set out in the water services investment programme for 2005 to 2007, which is available in the Oireachtas Library. The schemes included in the programme are derived mainly from regular assessments of needs undertaken by local authorities, at my Department's request, as an input to the overall strategy for meeting necessary water supply and treatment requirements.
I am satisfied that the planning and resources are in place to ensure that the national water supply infrastructure can cater adequately for current and anticipated requirements.
