Annual Report 2011 - Roscommon County Council

Water Services
North East Regional Water Supply Scheme: The detailed planning in relation to the provision of a new water
treatment plant for the area has been completed. Approval to go to tender for both the treatment plant and rising
main was received in 2011. The tender for the pipeline element will proceed in February 2012 and the treatment
works will follow, once statutory licences have been agreed. The scheme has an estimated cost of €16 million.
West Roscommon Regional Water Supply Scheme: The North Roscommon Regional scheme, Castlerea Urban
and Rural schemes and the Ballinlough/Loughglynn scheme will be amalgamated to form the West Roscommon
Regional Water Supply Scheme. The Preliminary Report and recommendations with regard to the upgrading
of the scheme have been submitted to the Department. A Supplementary Report, based on a rationalisation
of the scheme, was completed in 2011 and also submitted and approval is awaited. Advance works, including
the provision of a cryptosporidium barrier and a new pipe network at Castlerea, are progressing and will be
completed in 2012.
Water Conservation: Phase Three of the Water Conservation Programme commenced in late 2010. This phase
involves a substantial mains rehabilitation programme with an approved cost of €10.5 million and is to be
completed over a three year period. A contract for the rehabilitation of 30km was begun in 2011 and will be
completed in 2012. A second scheme of 45km was tendered in 2011 and will be awarded in early 2012. The
Council carried out an additional 20km of rehabilitation works by direct labour. A 25% overall reduction in water
demand has been achieved at the end of 2011 under the programme. Two full time staff are employed in leak
detection, monitoring and recording of data. Repair of leaks is ongoing.
Non-Domestic Water Metering: Local Authorities are required to meter all non-domestic water connections as
part of the Government’s National Water Pricing Framework. Veolia Water Ireland Ltd. continue to implement this
project on behalf of the Council. Water and waste water charges are now charged on a metered basis and over
8,500 meters have been installed at the end of 2011. A standing charge of €25 per quarter applied in 2011, with
a charge of €1.22 and €1.50 per cubic metre for water and waste water respectively.
Rural Water Programme
Design Build Operate Project for Water Treatment: Twenty private group schemes were amalgamated into
three new co-operative schemes and were included with two public schemes, Knockcroghery and Lecarrow, in
a Design, Build & Operate project. Six water treatment plants were completed and commissioned in 2011. They
are operated by Glan Agua Ltd. on behalf of the co-operatives and the Council. Total expenditure on the project
in 2011 was €1.9m.
Small Schemes Programme: The Council received an allocation of €426,000 from the Department of Environment,
Community and Local Government to upgrade public water and sewerage schemes in 2011, representing a
contribution of 75% of the cost. A total of €663,000 was expended on completing all outstanding schemes and
commencing works on the 2011 programme..
Take-in-Charge and Connection to the Public Main: €63,120 was claimed for the connection of three Group
Schemes – Greywood, Derrinacartha and Four Roads – to the public supply in 2011.
Water and Sewer Connections: During 2011, 76 connection licences were issued for 83 connections to the public
water mains, sewerage, and group water schemes. 49 road opening licences were issued.
Individual Water Supply Grants: Houses that are neither connected to the public mains nor to a private water
scheme may be eligible for a grant to upgrade their supply if their house is more than seven years old. The grant
amounts to 75% of the cost, subject to a maximum payment of €2,031. A total of €15,700 was paid in grants in
2011 to 8 applicants.
Subsidy towards the Operational Cost of Group Water Supply Schemes: Subsidies are payable to schemes to
help offset costs incurred in the day-to-day provision of a water supply to domestic houses. A total of €426,200
was paid to 11 schemes in respect of claims made during 2011. The subsidy is recouped from the Department.
66 Roscommon County Council