Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 4: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in view of water shortages in many parts of the country, he will develop a new national policy initiative or funding scheme to address water leakages and the current nationwide water shortage problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2947/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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In the last ten years a total of €1.8 billion has been invested by the Exchequer in a new water supply infrastructure under the water services investment programme. Recent water services investment programmes have also included specific sub-programmes on water conservation. Funding was provided to local authorities to put in place water management systems to monitor water use and losses throughout supply networks, fix leaks and replace defective pipes where repair is no longer an economic option.

Exchequer spending on water conservation over the last ten years amounted to €168 million. This investment provides the platform for intensive investment in mains rehabilitation as this is a key priority under the next water services investment programme for 2010-12, which is currently being finalised in my Department. In inviting local authorities to prepare needs assessments as an input to developing the new programme, the authorities were asked to prioritise key contracts and schemes in this area and they will also be required to prioritise water conservation works as an alternative to new infrastructure provision. A greater proportion of the funds available annually under the programme will be assigned specifically to water conservation works.

Current water supply problems are being managed by local authorities as best they can through intensive efforts to identity and repair leaks and by encouraging the public to use water sparingly. Authorities are also reducing pressure in their systems and, as a last resort, cutting off water supplies at night time in order to optimise the management of reservoir storage. Arrangements have been put in place to provide tanker water to areas without piped water supplies.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Everyone was surprised at the extent of the water shortages during the winter crisis, although leaks go with the territory given the weather we experienced. Ireland does not appear to be as well prepared for the type of weather we experienced this winter as other European countries. What lessons have we learned about water conservation and leaks? Has the Minister prepared a plan to prevent future incidents? His Department provides 70% of the necessary finance for projects and, despite opposition from his Cabinet colleagues, he has held the line on maintaining expenditure in 2010. However, this will not be enough to meet the requirements of 2015 or the challenges that arose during the severe weather crisis. When will the Minister make an announcement regarding expenditure for 2010? Does he propose to devise a new approach to deal with the types of problems that arose during the recent severe weather crisis?

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Local authorities have invested €130 million in water conservation projects since 2003, most of which came from Exchequer funds. I can say with absolute certainty that this sum will be substantially exceeded in the three-year period of the next water services investment programme from 2010 to 2012. I will make an announcement shortly in that regard.

The degree of leakage varies considerably in different local authority areas from 16.8% to 58.6%. In Dublin, for example, we have managed through investment to reduce the rate of leakage to some 28%, but that remains unacceptably high. We must recognise that water is a scarce resource. I refer here to treated water which costs more than €1 billion per annum. In other words, domestic customers are mistaken if they believe they are getting free water. We are all paying for it in some form.

The programme for Government includes a commitment to introduce a system for metering of water where customers will have to pay for consumption in excess of a certain threshold. If people were paying such charges already, it is unlikely they would have allowed their taps to run as they did during the recent severe weather. What is required is a change of mindset. In this new era water is a scarce resource which must be treated with care.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I am pleased the Minister referred to a "new era". I am sure he has studied Fine Gael's NewERA document which outlines our proposals for stimulating the economy through investment. It offers plenty of scope in this area.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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It does not offer any costings.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Deputy Hogan must put a question to the Minister.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I will be glad to assist the Minister in regard to the costings. Will he indicate the precise level of investment required to bring us into line with our obligations in regard to water investment by 2015 and to deal with the water shortage problems? In the Dublin city and county area, for example, there is a problem in regard to the capacity of treatment plants. Can the Minister update us on when investment will be prioritised in that area in order to increase capacity there?

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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As I indicated, we are making assessments and will increase substantially the amount to be invested in water conservation in the same way as we fulfilled our commitment to invest in flood protection. Investment will happen because it is an absolute necessity. During the cold snap there was demand in the Dublin area of some 624 megalitres, which broke all previous records. The level of demand will increase in general as our population increases. Apart from the need to replace pipes, there are various other issues to consider in this regard. For example, I have introduced new building regulations relating to dual flush. Some of the existing pipes were poorly laid, which is a question of building regulations, and consideration must be given to that. A multifaceted approach is required.

We will make an assessment of the damage that has been done and investment will continue apace. The recent difficulties drive home the point that our water supply is precious. We have had problems in the State with substandard drinking water as a consequence of cryptosporidium pollution. The current and recent water shortages have been severe, with people in parts of my constituency going without water for seven or eight days. It is unacceptable in a First Word country that people should have to endure what is not merely inconvenience, but hardship.