Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 October 2009
348 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 164 of 23 September 2009, the number of applicants submitted by Kildare County Council; the areas covered by the applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34841/09]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Ballymore Eustace Wastewater Treatment Plant was the only Serviced Land Initiative scheme resubmitted by Kildare County Council.
349 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if funding will be available to communities for the treatment of water and installation of a reservoir if they decide to own and operate their own treatment facility, rather than opting for the design-build-operate option. [34869/09]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for the administration of the Rural Water Programme has been devolved to local authorities since 1997. Under the devolved arrangements Local Authorities approve and prioritise schemes to go to construction subject to block grant funding provided by my Department on an annual basis.
The Rural Water Programme prioritises the upgrading of existing water quality deficient group water schemes to ensure that they provide water of an acceptable quality for their members which is in compliance with the Drinking Water Regulations. Grant aid is available for all privately sourced group water schemes wishing to upgrade their water treatment facilities and network distribution system.
The proposed works must be assessed and approved by the local authority on the basis that they are in compliance with the agreed national strategy for the provision of water treatment facilities, considered fit for purpose and based on sound engineering and economic principles which will ultimately result in the group water scheme being able to provide water for its members which is in full compliance with the Drinking Water Regulations.
The national strategy agreed between my Department, the Local Authorities, the National Rural Water Services Committee and the National Federation of Group Water Schemes for the provision of water treatment facilities in privately sourced group water schemes is based on Design, Build, Operate, (DBO) procurement coupled with the bundling of a number of schemes under a single contract.
The objective of this approach is to promote best value for money principles and the most efficient implementation of the programme to resolve water quality deficiencies in the group sector in the shortest possible timeframe. Local authorities have been asked to ensure that the Design, Build and Operate (DBO) procurement route is fully considered in all cases involving the provision of water treatment filtration and disinfection equipment on schemes to ensure that only value for money and fit-for purpose projects are grant aided.
