Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 50: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the percentage of water as supplied by each local authority lost due to wastage and leakage; the annual cost per local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2473/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The Services Indicators in Local Authorities 2008 report, a copy of which, available from the Oireachtas Library, includes information on 'Unaccounted for Water'' (UFW) in each local authority. UFW includes leakage in addition to other factors including unauthorised connections, unmetered connections and metering errors.

My Department does not have figures for the "cost" of UFW. This figure will vary from scheme to scheme depending on production cost, extent of UFW and any infrastructural cost incurred to compensate for the UFW.

Water conservation, which includes the management of water supply systems, active leakage control and mains rehabilitation, has been the focus of a specific sub-programme under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme. It has led to reductions in the levels of water unaccounted for, improved knowledge of the condition of water distribution networks and consumption patterns, and an improvement in the level and quality of supply to consumers. Since 2003, local authorities have spent over €130 million on these services with significant Exchequer support. Water conservation works will be a key priority under the next investment programme, which will cover the period 2010-2012. The metering of domestic connections will contribute to greater water conservation by facilitating enhanced network management by local authorities and a more sustainable approach to water use by domestic consumers.