Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 48: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he will take to ensure the provision and availability of adequate domestic drinking water storage facilities with particular reference for the need to meet a specific minimum requirement at all times regardless of weather or other conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2616/10]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 292: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when it will be possible to increase domestic water storage capacity to a minimum level whereby water shortages associated with freezing conditions might be alleviated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2911/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Question Nos. 48 and 292 together.

It is the responsibility of the relevant water services authority to deliver quality public water supplies to meet current and future needs. My Department co-ordinates and finances a major programme of investment in improved drinking water supply infrastructure, on which some €1.8 billion has been invested by the Government in the period 2000 - 2009. Substantial funding of €508 million is being provided this year from the Exchequer for the provision of water services infrastructure.

This level of investment continues to reflect the priority assigned by Government to meeting EU standards for drinking water and providing critical water supply infrastructure, which has seen additional drinking water treatment capacity and additional drinking water storage capacity equivalent to the needs of a population of 855,000 and 1.5 million, respectively, provided in the period 2000 – 2008.

The recent weather has pointed up the need to sustain our efforts in the provision of water services infrastructure and, in particular, the replacement and rehabilitation of older mains which were damaged during the cold spell. A greater focus on such works will be a key priority of the Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2012, which I expect to publish early this year.