Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 34: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the extent to which he proposes to upgrade the domestic drinking water supply; the efforts that have been made to identify areas most susceptible to supply interruption, inadequacy of storage, defective pipes; the degree to which the current treatment systems meet modern requirements; if all drinking water throughout the country is in accord with the best EU and international standards; the current storage capacity; the degree to which this meets International criteria; his plans for the future to improve quality, storage and volume; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9543/10]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 167: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to increase, augment, improve and update domestic water supply, storage capacity and treatment facilities throughout the country in line with population requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9765/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 167 together.

I refer to the reply to Question Nos. 48 and 292 of 21 January 2010.

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. 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.

Water services authorities were asked in July 2009 to submit an assessment of needs for water and sewerage services to my Department by 23 October 2009. In preparing these assessments, water services authorities were required to take into consideration key environmental and economic criteria in prioritising contracts and schemes to be progressed in their areas, including consideration of strategic and sustainable development of hubs and gateways under the National Spatial Strategy and strategically located developing areas under the developing areas initiative. My Department is currently finalising its consideration of these assessments, which form a key input to the development of the 2010 to 2012 water services investment programme that I expect to publish shortly.

The general design practice in Ireland would involve providing for sufficient storage of treated water, to meet the needs arising in the following 24-48 hours, which is in line with international practice.

A rigorous supervisory framework has been put in place to ensure good quality drinking water is provided and that effective mechanisms are available to deal quickly and effectively with problems where they arise. My Department has also been working closely with water services authorities, who are generally responsible for the management of public drinking water supplies, and the EPA to ensure that the management structures for the supply of drinking water are of the highest standard.

I am satisfied that the combination of the rigorous supervisory framework which I have put in place and the resources being devoted to the water services infrastructure will ensure continuous improvement in the quality and capacity of our water supplies.