Irish Water to invest in water and waste treatment improvements

Irish Water will invest approximately €1.8bn over the next three years to improve drinking water quality, leakage, water availability and wastewater compliance.

Established by the government less than six months ago, the utility is considering taking control of the water infrastructure programmes of 34 local authorities in the country.

It will look into eliminating boil water notices in Roscommon by early 2015 and providing more water. Reducing disruptions to water supply in the Dublin area, improving water quality, increasing wastewater treatment capacity and improving environmental compliance also form part of the priorities.

Existing plants will be improved by investing over €100m in required targeted upgrades located around Ireland. With regards to tackling leakage, €150m will be spent in a bid to accelerate leakage reduction.

The leakage programme, combined with the completion of existing works at Ballymore Eustace and Leixlip, is expected to solve water issues in the short-term in Dublin, Irish Water noted.

In order to monitor water and wastewater systems serving about 80% of the population, Irish Water will put in place core systems by the end of 2016.

In addition to the investment announced for the programme, the company also plans to spend more over the following five or six years.

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Image: Irish Water’s investment will deliver improvements in drinking water quality. Photo: courtesy of Idea go / FreeDigitalPhotos.net.