Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 140: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans for improvement and upgrading in terms of quality, quantity and storage capacity in respect of the domestic drinking water supply throughout the country; the anticipated capital expenditure in this regard over the next five years; the locations for such expenditure; if it is intended to plan fully for future requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36003/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 280: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to improve the domestic water supply having particular regard to present and future requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36327/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 286: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will introduce water conservation measures in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36333/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 140, 280 and 286 together.

Details of all major water schemes included for funding by my Department, together with water conservation allocations, are set out in the Water Services Investment Programme 2007 – 2009 which is available in the Oireachtas Library. Additional information in relation to progress on individual contracts or water conservation works under this Programme, or in relation to activity generally under the small public schemes measure of the devolved Rural Water Programme, may be obtained from the relevant local authority.

As additional water supply capacity through leakage control is a viable alternative to capital infrastructure provision, the Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 includes a National Water Conservation Sub-Programme. This sub-programme has been in progress for a number of years and has led to reductions in Unaccounted for Water, improved knowledge of the condition of water distribution networks and consumption patterns and an improvement in the level and quality of supply to consumers.

Local authorities were asked in July to submit an assessment of needs for both water and sewerage services to my Department by 23 October 2009. These assessments will form a key input to the development of the 2010 to 2012 Water Services Investment Programme, which it is anticipated will be published in early 2010. In conducting their assessments, local authorities have been asked to prioritise schemes and contracts, including water conservation projects, for progression over the coming years based on key environmental and economic criteria. A provision of €500 million is available for investment in water services infrastructure in 2009. Future investment in the sector will be determined by Government in the normal course as part of the Estimates process.