Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 44: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the drafting of river basin management plans for submission to the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22232/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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River basin management plans are currently being adopted, in accordance with the requirements of the Water Framework Directive, for each of the seven river basin districts in the State. The plans will set out the current status of waters, the environmental objectives which are to be achieved in the first planning cycle to 2015 and the programmes of measures which will be required in order to meet those objectives. The programmes of measures under the plans must be operational by the end of 2012.

The process of adopting the river basin management plans is well advanced. Draft plans were published in December 2008 and were subject to public consultation for a period of six months to June 2009. The plans have since been finalised and have been considered by the relevant local authorities. The EPA is now reviewing the plans and is due to report to me by 31 May 2010, with suggested amendments, if any. In the final stage of the process, it remains open to me, following consideration of the EPA report and appropriate consultation, to amend the plans by notice issued to the co-ordinating authority by 30 June 2010. The plans will, with any such amendments, come into effect on 9 July 2010 and will be reported to the European Commission immediately thereafter.

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 45: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the need for all public water treatment facilities to install chlorine monitor alarms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22231/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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During 2007, water services authorities were asked by my Department to review the operation of all water treatment plants (and associated infrastructure) and to ensure that the installation of continuous chlorine alarms and turbidity meters at appropriate locations at the treatment plant or in the distribution network (including at reservoirs) is progressed without delay. This request was restated in August 2008 by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) who issued a circular to water services authorities recommending the installation of a chlorine monitor and alarm in each public water supply. Under the European Communities (Drinking Water) (No.2) Regulations 2007, the EPA is responsible for the supervision of public water supplies.

The installation of chlorine monitors and alarms on public schemes by water services authorities was one of the measures which led the European Commission to close infringement proceedings against Ireland arising from a European Court of Justice Ruling in 2002 in relation to the quality of drinking water supplies. These proceedings were closed in March 2010.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 46: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the need for an audit by the city local authorities for lead infrastructure in the public water distribution system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22233/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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My Department understands that lead water distribution mains do not constitute a significant portion of the overall supply networks nationwide. At issue are lead connections to individual premises and internal lead plumbing that could affect drinking water quality and, therefore, have public health implications, necessitating replacement of the pipes involved. Only the replacement of lead pipes and connections on the public supply side is eligible for funding from my Department.

Last year, local authorities carried out assessments of needs in response to my Department's request, in July 2009, to the authorities to review and prioritise their proposals for new capital water services works in their areas. As part of those assessments, local authorities were requested to consider the steps necessary to meet the 2013 parametric value for the presence of lead in drinking water, based on the approach outlined by the EPA in its Lead Guidance Circular No. 2 of 21 April 2009, and to formulate proposals, where appropriate, for mains rehabilitation to replace lead connections.

The local authority assessments were a key input to the development of my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2012, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library. Mains rehabilitation, including the replacement of eligible lead pipes and connections, is a key priority under the new Programme, which will build on existing local authority investment in water conservation by providing for a very substantial scaling up of activity on mains rehabilitation. My aim is to increase substantially investment in water conservation to provide for the commencement of contracts with a value of over €300 million over the next three years. This level of activity will continue to address the problem of lead pipes or connections in public water supply networks. The phasing and funding of mains rehabilitation works for each local authority are set out in the published Programme – information regarding the location of those projects may be had from the relevant local authority.