Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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140. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the water crisis in County Roscommon particularly in Castlerea and Boyle; and when it is envisaged work will commence on upgrading the system. [19915/14]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Arigna, Boyle/Ardcarne, Roscommon Central and South Roscommon Regional Water Supply Schemes were included as Water Treatment Plant Upgrade contracts to start and as a Network Contract at Construction in my Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013.

In March 2013 I approved the Council’s Contract Documents for the Water Treatment Plant Upgrades for the Arigna, Boyle/Ardcarne, Roscommon Central and South Roscommon Regional Water Supply Scheme. Early in November 2013, I approved the commitment of the necessary capital funding of just over €12 million for the scheme to enable Roscommon County Council complete the contract formalities with the successful tenderer and to commence, as soon as possible, the works involved in the Design Build Operate Contract on the scheme. In December 2013, I also approved the provision of funding of €3.976 million to allow Roscommon County Council complete the tender formalities to commence the Network Contract on the Boyle/Ardcarne and Arigna Regional Water Supply Scheme. This approval of funding provides for the construction of the five Treatment Plants and other ancillary works on the scheme and will also provide treatment works for areas affected by “Boil Water Notices” in Roscommon. 

The West Roscommon Regional Water Supply Scheme was included as a Water Treatment Plant Upgrade Contract at Granlahan to commence under my Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013. Under a review of the Programme, carried out in 2011, my Department approved the inclusion in the Programme for the West Roscommon Regional Water Supply Scheme of an advance networks upgrade contract – the Castlerea Urban and Regional Water Supply Improvement Works.

In April 2013 my Department approved the Supplementary Design Review Report for the West Roscommon Regional Water Supply Scheme, which included advance works to address water quality issues on the Castlerea Urban and Regional Water Supply Scheme, at a cost of €8.3 million.

In mid-November 2013 a request was received in my Department from Roscommon County Council seeking approval of funding of almost €1.6 million for a Watermain Network Contract to interconnect the pipework on the Castlerea Urban & Regional Water Supply Scheme. However, it was not possible for my Department to finalise its examination of the Council’s submission prior to the transfer of responsibility for the delivery of water services capital infrastructure to Irish Water on 1 January 2014.

Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for the delivery of water services capital infrastructure. It is currently preparing a Capital Investment Plan for 2014 – 2016 that will provide for the transition of projects included in the Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013. The further progression of all water services capital projects, including these schemes, is now a matter for Irish Water.

Irish Water has confirmed to my Department that it has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via an email to or by telephone on 1890 278 278.