Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I apologise to the Deputies for my delay in arriving in the House and for not being here for the appropriate slot but I thank them for raising this important issue. It would be useful to clarify the role of both the Department and the water services authorities in the provision of water services.

The Department does not have responsibility for, or any role in, the management, maintenance or operation of water infrastructure. As the Deputies know, it is a matter in the first instance for the relevant water services authorities, in this case Wicklow County Council and-or Dublin City Council, which are responsible under statute, for the operation, maintenance and management of water infrastructure, under the general supervision of the Environmental Protection Agency.

The primary role of the Department is to support those water services authorities in providing the necessary water infrastructure and this is done through the Department's water services investment programme. I assure the Deputies I will ensure the personnel on the engineering side are in constant contact with the Wicklow and Dublin city authorities to ensure this matter is resolved sooner rather than later.

Water supplies in the greater Dublin area, including north Wicklow, are generally provided on a shared basis under agreements drawn up between the relevant water services authorities under powers available to those authorities in the Water Services Acts and which are exercised under arrangements entered into without reference to me as the Minister. However, from inquiries made to Wicklow County Council, I am advised that there is an ongoing issue with the water supplied from Dublin City Council's Vartry reservoir, as indicated by the Deputies. Apparently, due to algal problems at Vartry, the capacity and output from the reservoir has been reduced by 50%. I am informed that Kilpedder, Glen of the Downs, Kilmacanogue and surrounding areas are fed directly from the Vartry reservoir and that with the drop in pressure of the water being supplied from the reservoir, householders are experiencing a reduced water supply and, in some instances, no water supply at all.

I understand that Wicklow County Council is providing consumers with water by locating water tankers throughout the affected areas, including locations such as Foxes Meadow, Bellevue Hill in Kilpedder, Jameson’s Corner in Delgany and Kilmacanogue. In addition, Dublin City Council has crews working on the problem at the Vartry reservoir on a full-time basis, with a view to increasing the output from Vartry and reducing the need for tankering of water.

I also understand that consumers in Enniskerry, as was mentioned, and the surrounding areas have been advised of interruptions to supply, mainly overnight, in order to ensure that the supply in the reservoir is replenished for distribution during the day. That is not acceptable and it is something which could have been better planned.

To date, the Department's water services investment programme 2010-13, water supply and watermain rehabilitation contracts, costing in excess of €16 million, have been completed in County Wicklow. Contracts for further water supply improvements and mains rehabilitation, costing in the region of €25 million, are being planned and I will check at what stage they are in regard to rolling out this programme. Additional substantial works are proposed to improve the water supply from Vartry and Dublin City Council is advancing the planning of these works.

I understand the difficulties being experienced by consumers at the lack of a continuous supply of water in their areas; it is unacceptable and it demonstrates once again the need for reform in this area. As Deputies know, we have a very ambitious water reform programme but in the immediate and short term, we want to see consumers are able to enjoy the supply of water from their local water services authority as quickly as possible. I will undertake to do whatever I can to expedite this work.

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