Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 517: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on potential water shortages throughout the country; the plans he has in place to deal with such an eventuality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28424/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Continued high levels of funding in recent years for the Water Services Investment Programme and Rural Water Programme demonstrate the Government's ongoing commitment to the sector. Investment in the period 2000 – 2009 has seen an increase in water treatment capacity equivalent to the needs of a population of 1.1 million and an increase in storage capacity equivalent to 1.6 million over the same period.

The Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2012, published in April 2010, was drawn up to deal with a number of environmental and economic priorities, including the need for increased water treatment capacity. The Programme also places a greater emphasis on water conservation, providing for network rehabilitation contracts with a total value of some €321 million to commence in the period 2010 – 2012. Reducing unaccounted for water is an important element in maximising the output from our water treatment plants and funding has been targeted at areas where the level of unaccounted for water is unacceptably high.

Management of water supplies infrastructure, including the need to consider measures to address potential water shortages, is a matter for the water services authorities. It is open to authorities to consider a number of measures, including rationing and arranging for tankered water to communities where there are water supply difficulties. Authorities can also initiate media campaigns in their localities to heighten awareness of the need to use water wisely. Under the Water Services Act 2007, it is open to an Authority to make an Order, where a serious shortage of water has arisen or is imminent, to prohibit or restrict the use of water supplies for a period of time. Such an Order could provide for a restriction on activities such as watering gardens, recreational parks or sports grounds, the washing of cars, the filling or replenishing a swimming pool, etc.

Water Services Authorities are also required to have in place Drinking Water Incident Response Plans. While primarily focused on water contamination incidents, the general principles set out in these plans, including the need for ongoing liaison with other authorities regarding the sharing of alternative sources of drinking water, can also be applied to water shortage management.

The National Federation of Group Water Schemes called on all group schemes and their members earlier this month to take steps to conserve water. This would include restrictions on the flow of water at off-peak periods and avoidance of unnecessary water use, such as the use of hoses in gardens. Where there are pressures on public supplies, local authorities would be expected to manage the situation in the same manner. My Department will be writing to local authorities shortly reminding them of the need to manage supplies carefully in prolonged dry spells and to take whatever steps are required, including engaging with local media, to highlight practical conservation measures and to remind people to use water wisely.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Responsibility for monitoring water quality in the Killarney Lakes rests with Kerry County Council, which is the pollution control authority for the area.

The Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2012, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library, provides for the development of a comprehensive range of new water services infrastructure in County Kerry. While the Programme includes contracts under construction and to commence to the value of some €92 million in the county during the period of the Programme, it was not possible to include all requested schemes amongst the priority contracts and schemes selected for inclusion.

The Kilcummin Sewerage Scheme is included in the 2010 – 2012 Programme as a scheme at planning. In view of the high unit cost of providing the scheme, Kerry County Council has been asked to review the scope of the scheme before the Council can be given approval to prepare new Tender Documents.

The Killarney Main Drainage Scheme, of which Aghadoe, Tralee Road and Lissivigeen are elements, is not among the priority contracts and schemes included in the Programme.

The new Programme aims to prioritise projects that target environmental compliance issues and support economic and employment growth as envisaged in the Government's policy document Building Ireland's Smart Economy – A Framework for Sustainable Economic Renewal. A key input to the development of the Programme was the assessment of needs prepared by local authorities, including Kerry County Council, in response to my Department's request to the authorities in 2009 to review and prioritise their proposals for new capital works in their areas. These were subsequently appraised in the Department in the context of the funds available and key criteria that complemented those used by the authorities. Inevitably, through this process, certain projects that had been proposed had to give way to others that are more strategically important at this time.