Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 434: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide sufficient money in 2010 to complete the renewal of public water piping in Waterford City. [10399/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The rehabilitation of water mains in Waterford City was included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007 – 2009. Work on Phase Two of the Council's mains rehabilitation programme, which provided for the replacement of 23.5 kilometres of water mains in the city centre is completed. I understand that Waterford City Council is developing proposals for Phase Three of the programme.

Local Authorities were asked in July 2009 to submit an assessment of needs for water and sewerage services, including water conservation, to my Department by 23 October 2009. In preparing these assessments, local authorities were asked to prioritise schemes and contracts for progression over the coming years based on key environmental and economic criteria. 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, which I expect to publish shortly. The Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012 will build on existing investment in water conservation by providing for a very substantial scaling up of activity on water mains rehabilitation.