Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 433: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the quantity, in miles, of condemned piping that was bought in Britain and laid in County Donegal; if this piping contains an asbestos compound; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19902/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Donegal County Council, as the contracting party in the provision of water services in the county, has not notified my Department of any instance where piping for water or wastewater schemes did not meet the standards set out in contract specifications.

Water conservation is a key element of my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2012. The primary objective of water conservation is to reduce water loss in the distribution networks to an economic level and to address unacceptably high levels of unaccounted for water. Local authorities are required to give top priority to water conservation works as an alternative to new infrastructure provision. Pipeline rehabilitation is an integral part of water conservation strategies, whereby water distribution pipelines are relined or replaced. Details of funding for water conservation contracts underway or due to proceed are set out in the Water Services Investment Programme, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library.