Inaction ‘not an option’

RURAL WATER NEWS 

Magazine of the Group Water Scheme Sector 

Spring 2008 Volume 10 Issue 1 

Inaction ‘not an option’ 

NRWMC endorses action under Drinking Water Regulations 

The National Rural Water 

Monitoring Committee 

(NRWMC) is advising local 

authorities that they must 

take whatever action is 

required under law to ensure 

compliance with the 

Drinking Water Regulations. 

Responding to a recent 

report presented to them by 

National RWP Project 

Manager, Kevin Reilly, the 

NRWMC (as advisory committee 

to the Minister) gave 

its full backing to a robust 

strategy that will see schemes 

that fail to agree an upgrade 

programme being ‘prioritised 

for urgent action under the 

European Communities 

(Drinking Water) (No. 2) 

Regulations 2007’. 

Referring to ‘a small number 

of schemes that have failed to 

proactively engage with their 

local authority to put in place 

sustainable action programmes 

to improve water quality and 

adequately protect the public 

health of consumers’, Mr 

Reilly informed the NRWMC 

that a number of local authorities 

have recently issued 

Directions under Regulations 

9 and 10, specifying actions to 

be taken by some such 

schemes. 

And he told the NRWMC 

that ‘other local authorities 

will be initiating enforcement 

action under the Regulations 

against offending schemes 

over the next month or so’. 

Continued on page 3 

In this issue: 

Page 

Comment ......................................3 

RWP Capital Programme 2008:..4 

Encouraging QA uptake ............6 

It’s ‘all systems go’! Minister opens 

plants in Galway DBO bundle 1 ..8 

What was involved? Galway DBO 

bundle 1 upgrade at a glance ......10 

South Leinster DBO Project ......13 

Septic tank study: startling evidence 

from preliminary results ..............13 

National spotlight on H 2 O 

sales technique ............................14 

CLÁR funding update ................14 

Water Quality Report 2006-7: 

a new departure for environmental 

watchdog ....................................15 

Assessing the Cryptosporidium 

Risk: the challenge facing the 

GWS sector ................................16 

DkIT Centre for Freshwater Studies 

invests in Crypto monitoring 

equipment ..................................17 

National RWP Project Manager, Kevin Reilly, has been co-ordinating the rural water upgrade programme 

across all local authority areas. In a recent report to the National Rural Water Monitoring Committee, Mr Reilly 

advised that action is being taken by several local authorities in relation to group schemes that have yet to agree 

an upgrade strategy capable of achieving compliance with the Drinking Water Regulations (SI 278/‘07). 

Regional Reports: 

Connacht ......................................19 

Leinster ........................................24 

Munster ........................................27 

Ulster ............................................29 

Consulting on the plan: 

River basin district meetings re the 

Water Framework Directive ......32 

1

Rural Water News Spring 2008 

2


Comment 

There is no mistaking the significance of our lead story for the 

small number of group water schemes that seem oblivious to 

the need for compliance with national and EU drinking water 

quality legislation. Put simply, the days of doing nothing and 

expecting to get away with it are coming to an end and the 

committees of those schemes that adopt such a stance will find 

that they are living in a fool’s paradise. 

True, there may be some groups out there that were genuinely 

unaware of the legal requirement to address their non-compliance 

with the regulatory standards, although God knows how 

they have missed all of the public comment of recent years. 

There will be other schemes that will approach their local or 

national politicians hoping that their influence will secure an 

exemption from the application of the law, but this won’t work 

either, nor should it. 

As Kevin Reilly pointed out in his report to the National Rural 

Water Monitoring Committee, water suppliers have ‘a duty of 

care’ to see that the water they provide ‘is wholesome and 

clean and meets the requirements of the Regulations’. We 

might add that this duty of care implies both a moral and legal 

obligation on group water scheme committees. 

It seems remarkable that there are schemes out there that 

haven’t got that message yet, and that it may take a letter of 

direction from their local authority to drive home the point. 

And while Kevin Reilly emphasised that local authorities are 

there to work with these schemes in providing assistance, 

NFGWS staff are similarly willing to do all in their power to 

provide whatever support is called for. But it is up to these 

schemes to accept such support. 

Our advice is that they waste no time in doing so. 

*** 

On a happier note, the strong interest in completing training 

in the NFGWS Quality Assurance scheme has continued 

across all regions. National QA Officer, Jean Gibson’s recent 

report on progress to the National Rural Water Monitoring 

Committee provides real grounds for optimism. 

The observations of the EPA in the latest Drinking Water 

Quality Report [see page 15] provide a strong endorement of 

a QA strategy that puts consistent monitoring from source to 

tap at the very heart of managing a potable water supply. 

Speaking at the launch of the Rural Water Programme, 

NFGWS Chairperson, Brendan O’Mahony said that implementation 

of the QA system across all completed DBO 

schemes and the more organised non-DBO schemes would be 

a Federation priority in 2008. 

It is an achievable objective that warrants an enthusiastic 

take-up by group water schemes everywhere. 

Disclaimer 

While every care has been taken to ensure that the information 

contained in this publication is up to date and correct, no 

responsibility will be taken by the National Federation of 

Group Water Schemes for any error which might occur. 

Although grateful for the support of our advertisers, readers 

should note that inclusion of an advertisement does not imply 

any form of recommendation. 

We try to ensure the reliability of advertisers, but Rural 

Water News cannot accept liability for the quality of goods 

and services offered. 

3 

Continued from page 1 

In the course of a summary 

report to the NRWMC on 

progress during 2007, the 

National Project Manager said 

that ‘70% of schemes identified 

in the Action Plan for 

Rural Water Quality are now 

classified as complete in terms 

of having adequate water 

treatment in place’. 

Advanced planning 

Adding that work on the 

majority of the remaining 

schemes is underway, or at an 

‘advanced planning’ stage, he 

pinpointed 14 schemes across 

7 counties as not having 

agreed action programmes in 

place to resolve their water 

quality issues. The report 

continues: 

‘It is no longer acceptable 

that consumers should have 

to endure ongoing restrictions 

on the use of water for 

human consumption without 

an end in sight. 

‘There is a duty of care on all 

water suppliers, public and 

private, under the Drinking 

Water Well Drilling 

Water Quality Improvements at Source 

One of the most important tasks for any group water 

scheme is to consider the performance of your 

groundwater source in terms of quality and quantity. 

• Low-cost trial drilling can establish water supply 

and water quality prior to developing production 

well/treatment system specification. 

• Cement-sealed wells prevent shallow surface-water 

entering a supply, reducing the risk of contamination. 

• An inert uPVC casing/ 

screen or stainless steel 

screen with gravel pack 

between screen section 

and open hole helps prevent 

the ingress of silt/ 

sand into a water supply. 

Contact the experienced 

professionals 

Patrick Briody & Sons Ltd 

Briody Aquadrill Services 

The Grove 

Rathangan, Co. Kildare 

Tel. 045-524360 or 087-2589313 

Fax 045-524785 

Web:www.briodydrilling.com 

Water Regulations to ensure 

that water is wholesome and 

clean and meets regulatory 

requirements. The purpose of 

the Regulations is to ensure 

that this objective is consistently 

met.’ 

Local authorities 

Addressing the statutory obligations 

on local authorities, 

the report emphasised that in 

their role as Supervisory 

Authorities under the 

Regulations, they must 

ensure that ‘appropriate 

actions’ are taken by group 

water schemes to achieve 

compliance, adding: 

‘It is important to realise that 

in all cases local authorities 

are more than willing to 

engage with these schemes 

and to provide advice and 

assistance, if required, on the 

best way forward.’ 

Endorsing both the thrust 

and content of the report, the 

NRWMC agreed that inaction 

on the part of schemes is 

‘no longer an option’ where 

water quality is concerned.


RWP Capital Programme 2008 

Killeen predicts ‘another challenging year’ 

For the second year in succession, 

the launch of the 

annual Rural Water 

Programme was held in a 

frontline area in the battle 

being waged against deficient 

drinking water quality. 

But if it was Castlebar in 

2007, Claregalway hosted this 

year’s allocations announcement, 

as Minister Tony 

Killeen, TD, kept faith with 

the investment programme 

that is badly needed to bring 

the rural water sector up to the 

required standard. 

And, as Galway County 

Manager, Martina Maloney 

observed in her welcoming 

address to the Minister, no 

county in Ireland needs that 

investment more than 

Galway which boasts by far 

the largest number of group 

water schemes, many of 

which are small and too 

many of which are qualitydeficient. 

‘It is a case of applying 

resources to where the need 

is greatest’, she said, 

acknowledging that by far the 

largest tranche of funding 

(€25.7 million) was allocated 

to the Joyce country. 

Challenges 

But if the scale of RWP allocations 

is urgently needed 

(and it is), then Minister 

Killen was himself quick to 

acknowledge that such large 

funding carries its own challenges 

for local authorities in 

terms of getting it spent. 

In keeping with his usual 

style, the Minister referred 

Minister Tony Killeen, TD, pictured in Claregalway at the announcement 

of allocations under the Rural Water Programme for 2008. 

4 

Galway County Manager, Martina 

Maloney. 

only briefly to his prepared 

speech, preferring to address 

his audience ex tempore 

about the core issues that he 

sees for the rural water sector 

in the year ahead, predicting 

that 2008 would be another 

challenging year in terms of 

achieving compliant drinking 

water quality. 

As in Kilcoona-Caherlistrane 

earlier in the morning, 

he paid a heartfelt tribute to 

GWS activists and their contribution 

to rural Ireland, 

while singling out the 

National Federation of Group 

Water Schemes for its contribution 

to the ongoing success 

of the RWP. 

But, of course, the core 

business of the day was the 

allocation of €135 million, a 

slightly lower figure than last 

year, but €5 million more 

than the total spend in 2007. 

Allocations 

The breakdown of allocations 

announced by the Minister 

included: 

• €51.2m towards new treatment 

plants for group 

schemes with sub-standard 

sources and towards water 

conservation and critical 

mains replacement. The 

bulk of this allocation, 

€34.75m, is shared 

between Galway (€18m), 

Mayo (€10.5m) and 

Roscommon (€6.25m) to 

progress and complete the 

last of the DBO bundled 

projects in these counties. 

• €6.1m towards the connection 

of group schemes to 

public supplies, with the 

main funding spread 

across Galway, Leitrim, 

Mayo, Roscommon and 

Wicklow. 

• €21.2m towards the 

takeover of group water 

schemes by local authorities 

this year. 51 identified 

group schemes remain to 

be dealt with. 

• €23.3m for general 

upgrading works on group 

water schemes, as well as 

for new schemes and 

extensions to existing 

schemes. This Minister 

stressed that this funding 

will be focused on upgrading 

works that contribute 

to improvements in water 

quality, while also encouraging 

the development of 

the group schemes sector 

to cater for growing rural 

communities. 

• €33.2m under the Small 

Public Water and 

Sewerage Schemes 

Measure, €10m of which is 

for remedial measures on 

certain public water supply 

schemes identified by the 

EPA [see facing page]. 

This allocation also give 

local authorities significant 

help to expand and 

improve their existing 

water and sewerage networks 

and treatment facilities 

in rural areas.


O’Mahony 

Welcoming the RWP allocations 

announcement on 

behalf of the group scheme 

sector, NFGWS Chairperson, 

Brendan O’Mahony said: 

‘It was inevitable that as the 

bulk of infrastructural projects 

were either completed or 

nearing completion that the 

allocation under this heading 

would fall back and that the 

overall spend would level off 

somewhat. 

‘Having said that, our 

Federation believes that there 

are compelling reasons to 

sustain strong investment 

under the Rural Water 

Programme in the period 

ahead. 

‘Yes, the treatment facilities 

are there, or will be there 

shortly, but there is a need for 

continued investment in networks, 

in water conservation 

(in particular the extension of 

grant aid for metering to all 

group water schemes), and 

we should be seeing 

increased focus and investment 

in the areas of source 

protection and Quality 

Assurance. 

Objective 

Identifying delivery of the QA 

system as a ‘primary objective 

for the NFGWS in the year 

ahead’, Mr O’Mahony concluded 

that the assistance provided 

through the RWP, 

together with realistic and 

equitable pricing strategies, ‘is 

enabling group schemes to 

raise their performance to a 

world-class level’. 

Allocations response to 

EPA Water Quality Report 

The 2008 RWP allocations 

include a contingency sum of 

€10m that is being specially 

set aside to deal with certain 

public water supplies with 

potential quality issues. 

This is a direct response to 

the Environmental Protection 

Agency’s identification of 339 

public supplies that require 

detailed profiling from catchment 

to consumer to determine 

whether they need to be 

replaced or upgraded, or 

where operational practices 

need to be improved to ensure 

that the water supplied to the 

general public is clean and 

wholesome. 

Rural Registration Water Programme Allocations 2008 

alert! 

The Agency has asked the 

local authorities concerned to 

draw up action plans to 

address the issues raised in 

each of the 339 cases. 

It is anticipated that a significant 

proportion of the 

schemes involved will require 

only modest, low-cost upgrading 

to resolve security and 

safety issues (e.g. chlorine 

residual monitors, turbidity 

monitors and dial-out alarms). 

The contingency funding to 

cover such works is being 

made available under the 

Small Public Water and 

Sewerage Schemes Measure 

of the RWP. 

County DBO Connecting to Takeover Upgrade of New Small public Total 

Projects public main of GWS GWS schemes water/sewerage allocation 

d 

GWS co-ops 

d 

face 

d d d d d 

Carlow 4,000,000 cancellation 

0 450,000 0 0 800,000 5,250,000 

Cavan 2,800,000 0 200,000 650,000 900,000 800,000 5,350,000 

Clare 1,500,000 0 1,300,000 850,000 950,000 900,000 5,500,0000 

Cork North 0 0 90,000 600,000 350,000 800,000 2,650,000 

Cork South 0 0 675,000 0 125,000 800,000 1,600,000 

Cork West 0 0 0 0 600,000 800,000 1,400,000 

Donegal 0 0 4,500,000 360,000 360,000 1,250,000 6,470,000 

Dublin area 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Galway 18,000,000 3,000,000 2,000,000 900,000 1,000,000 800,000 25,700,000 

Kerry 0 0 1,00,000 300,000 500,000 800,000 2,600,000 

Kildare 80,000 0 256,500 0 750,000 800,000 1,886,500 

Kilkenny 39,000 0 86,000 450,000 15,300 800,000 1,390,300 

Laois 800,000 0 550,000 600,000 450,000 800,000 3,200,000 

Leitrim 450,000 1,100,000 3,000,000 900,000 300,000 800,000 6,550,000 

Limerick 1,000,000 0 1,500,000 1,400,000 86,000 800,000 4,786,000 

Longford 0 27,000 360,000 0 450,000 900,000 1,737,000 

Louth 0 0 62,000 106,000 43,000 800,000 1,011,000 

Mayo 10,500,000 585,000 2,000,000 1,500,000 800,000 800,000 16,185,000 

Meath 1,440,000 0 0 300,000 220,500 800,000 2,760,500 

Monaghan 450,000 0 90,000 2,500,000 0 800,000 3,840,000 

Offaly 0 0 63,000 500,000 900,000 800,000 2,263,000 

Roscommon 6,250,000 500,000 239,400 0 75,500 800,000 7,864,900 

Sligo 0 0 405,000 650,000 300,000 800,000 2,155,000 

Tipperary Nth 990,000 0 100,000 0 90,000 800,000 2,430,000 

Tipperary Sth 0 0 190,000 26,000 22,000 800,000 1,038,000 

Waterford 0 0 0 20,000 100,000 800,000 1,020,000 

Westmeath 1,800,000 0 128,000 100,000 500,000 800,000 3,328,000 

Wexford 570,000 0 900,000 0 100,000 800,000 2,370,000 

Wicklow 550,000 900,000 207,000 200,000 7,800 800,000 2,664,800 

Total 51,219,000 6,112,000 21,161,900 13,362,000 9,995,100 23,150,000 135,000,000 

5


Encouraging 

QA uptake 

NFGWS Quality Assurance 

Officer, Jean Gibson, has 

reported an encouraging 

take-up of the QA system 

by group water schemes in 

recent months, adding that 

there are ‘indications that 

demand for the training 

course will accelerate in the 

period ahead’. 

With a view to meeting the 

anticipated demand, all 

development officers have 

completing the course in 

recent months so that they 

can help deliver training in 

their own regions. 

Completed 

Up to mid March, the QA 

system had been delivered to 

seven of twelve Federated 

schemes in Monaghan, as 

well as to three schemes in 

Clare and in Sligo, two in 

Cavan and one each in 

Donegal and Galway. 

In addition, four recentlyappointed 

managers of amalgamated 

group schemes in 

County Mayo participated in 

the Sligo training course. 

Training 

Further schemes are scheduled 

to complete training 

within the next few weeks in 

Counties Carlow, Cavan, 

Limerick and Sligo. 

Urging both DBO and non- 

DBO schemes to positively 

consider implementing the 

QA system, Ms Gibson said 

that the priority focus in 2008 

will be in delivering training 

to those schemes that ‘have 

the capacity’ to do so. 

Liability Insurance for 

Group Water Schemes 

Brokers: Lyons Insurance Services Limited 

Underwriter: D. A. Constable Syndicate (Ireland) Ltd. 

(Acting for D. A. Constable Syndicate 386 at Lloyds) 

• Insuring Federation Members for over 15 years 

• Single Combined Employers/Public Liability Policy 

• Standard cover includes 

Employer Liability d13,000,000 

Public Liability d2,600,000 

Emergency Repair Work & New House Connections 

• Competitive Rates Quoted 

Speaking in Claregalway following the RWP allocations announcement, 

the Chairperson of the National Rural Water Monitoring Committee, 

Professor Tom Collins, voiced strong support for the NFGWS Quality 

Assurance system. 

Contact Noreen Gilligan, Lyons Insurance Services Limited 

The Square, Claremorris, Co. Mayo. 

T. 094 9371511 F. 094 9371389 E. tlyons@eircom.net 

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7


It’s ‘all systems go’! 

as Minister officially opens plants in Galway DBO bundle 1 

What matter that the 14 treatment 

plants in the bundle 

have been operating for the 

past year (and longer in the 

case of some), this was an 

infrastructural project that 

warranted an official opening 

and on Friday, 29 February, it 

got one! 

It was meant to be a fairly 

low-key affair, but more than 

100 people huddled together 

in the Kilcoona-Caherlistrane 

facility to join Minister Tony 

Killeen, TD, in marking a 

momentous occasion in the 

sometimes difficult history of 

Galway’s rural water sector. 

Forget the miserable weather, 

this was a day to celebrate 

the successful conclusion of 

a massive infrastructural 

project that required partnership, 

patience and perseverance 

on the part of all the 

stakeholders involved. 

Brochure 

The scale of the construction 

project was well described in 

a brochure produced by 

Galway County Council for 

the occasion, but as the county’s 

Director of Services, Jim 

Cullen, explained, the completion 

of this project was 

down to people working 

together as much as any 

physical work on the ground. 

It was appropriate that the 

event was held in Kilcoona- 

Caherlistrane, not simply 

because it is the only plant in 

the bundle capable of sheltering 

a large crowd from the 

inclement weather, but 

because it was this plant 

more than any other that vindicated 

the DBO bundling 

upgrade strategy a year ago 

when it proved equal to the 

task of supplying both the 

local group scheme and the 

Clockwise from top: The unveiling of the plaque at Kilcoona-Caherlistrane GWS treatment plant, marking 

the official opening of the Galway no. 1 DBO bundle; Minister Tony Killeen, TD; Jim Cullen, Director of 

Services, Galway County Council; Brendan Gannon, chairperson of the local community association. 

people of Headford whose 

own supply had been closed 

in the Cryptsporidium crisis. 

The scheme was happy to 

help and happy also to get 

paid for the water supplied, 

but most of all they were 

happy that they had reached a 

point in their development 

where they could be called on 

in such a situation. 

And it was this point that 

Minister Killeen touched on 

in a very personal address, in 

which he recalled times when 

8


things were not so good for 

group water schemes. He 

acknowledged those who 

kept rural water supplies 

flowing in hard times, as well 

as those who grasped the 

opportunity to transform their 

schemes when the opportunity 

and finance was there. 

We had ‘come a long way’, 

he said, an observation with 

which his audience could not 

quibble, surrounded as they 

were by the gleaming technology 

of a state-of-the-art 

treatment plant. 

Kilcoona-Caherlistrane 

While the day was about 14 

plants and group schemes 

across the county, the local 

significance of the occasion 

for Michael Moran and the 

Kilcoona-Caherlistrane committee 

was not lost on anyone. 

NFGWS Chairperson, 

Brendan O’Mahony said that 

the local GWS was ‘a model 

for all group schemes around 

the country’, not least as it 

had brought people together 

across parish boundaries, 

‘which isn’t always easy’. 

And he paid a special tribute 

to Mr Moran, both for his 

local contribution and for his 

period of service as an 

NFGWS Board member. 

Galway’s Mayor, Cllr Seán 

Canney stressed the importance 

of publicly acknowledging 

the contribution of 

such volunteers, adding that 

‘too often their efforts are not 

highlighted in the media’. 

Michael Moran 

The media may have been 

thin on the ground in 

Caherlistrane, but the local 

community was keen to 

acknowledge Michael Moran 

as a local hero. 

In a moving address, 

Brendan Gannon of the 

Community Association, 

recalled that despite suffering 

personal bereavement on 

two occasions in recent 

years, Michael Moran stayed 

with the project and saw it 

through to completion. 

9


What was involved? 

Galway DBO bundle no. 1 upgrade at a glance 

Organised by a DBO 

Steering Committee that 

included representation from 

all of the RWP partners, the 

first Galway bundle depended 

on local buy-in and cooperation, 

the advice of 

Client’s Representatives 

Ryan Hanley and the construction 

skills of a range of 

contractors, especially Treatment 

Systems Services Ltd. 

As the physical infrastructure 

(and the quality water it 

will provide) is the key outcome, 

we include below 

some of the works completed 

over a wide geographic area 

of the county. 

Ardrahan GWS: 

A treatment plant (capacity 

24.9m 3 /hr), equipped to 

reduce colour, nitrate and 

manganese. 

A 180 mm rising main was 

laid from the plant to the 

reservoir site and a 225 mm 

distribution main from the 

reservoir to Ardrahan Village 

and beyond, replacing a 100 

mm main previously used. 

Ballyglass/Fiddane GWS: 

A treatment plant (capacity 

305m 3 /day), together with a 

new reservoir capable of 

storing 254m 3 of treated 

water. The plant will treat 

high levels of turbidity, 

nitrate, ammonia, iron and 

manganese. 

A borehole supply is treated 

by pressure filtration, UV 

and chlorination prior to distribution. 

Critical mains and older leakprone 

parts of the network 

were upgraded, alongside the 

installation of consumer 

meter boxes. 

Brierfield GWS: 

A treatment facility with a 

design capacity of 8.65m 3 /hr, 

a new reservoir, with a 

capacity of 130m 3 

8,100m of the distribution 

pipelines were replaced. 

Kilcoona-Caherlistrane GWS: 

An 8.9 km 280 mm rising 

main from Lough Corrib to 

the new treatment plant at 

Bohercuill. Pressure filtration 

is followed by UV and 

Chlorination. There are 3 filters, 

each capable of filtering 

36m 3 /hr. Design capacity is 

2,459m 3 /day. 

A 1,000m 3 reservoir was 

built to supplement the existing 

600m 3 facility at the plant. 

A 1.9km 225mm rising main 

to high level reservoirs at 

Kildrum and an additional 

800m 3 reservoir provided. 

Universal metering was 

installed, along with 40 bulk 

flowmeters. 

Cleggan/Claddaghduff PWS: 

A DAF plant (360m 3 /day 

capacity) constructed at 

Lough Coorhour to treat 

highly coloured lake water. 

As this plant is also supplying 

five GWS, a 4 km interconnecting 

main was laid to 

one of these, Barnarusheen 

GWS and bulk meters and 

water control boxes installed. 

Cloonatleva GWS: 

A new treatment plant 

(design capacity 254m 3 /day) 

and reservoir were constructed 

adjacent to the spring 

source which is treated for 

turbidity. The source is high 

risk for Cryptosporidium, so 

UV is used in addition to filtration 

and chlorination. 

Cloonluane GWS: 

A treatment plant and 120m 3 

precast reservoir, constructed 

in a sensitive landscape (SAC). 

Ozidation is employed, followed 

by carbon filtration to 

cope with a lake water that 

can be highly coloured. 

Because of variations in elevation, 

many individual connections 

were fitted with 

pressure reducing valves. 

Inis Meáin GWS: 

A treatment plant to filter and 

disinfect rainwater that must 

be collected on the island and 

is held in five reservoirs. 

The island already had a 

desalination plant in place. 

Consumer boxes were also 

installed. 

Kiltevna GWS & Tobberowen/Lissybroder 

GWS: 

A shared treatment plant that 

can produce 36m 3 /hr. 

A 200mm rising main to an 

800m precast reservoir where 

the water feeds into seperate 

distribution mains. 

25km of network upgrading 

was undertaken over both 

these schemes, including sections 

by directional drilling, 

and by pipe bursting. 

Lettergesh/Mullaghloss GWS: 

A treatment plant adjacent to 

the mountain stream source. 

This is highly coloured following 

heavy rain and chlorination 

followed by carbon filtration 

is used, prior to sand 

filtration and UV disinfection. 

A 150m 3 reservoir has been 

provided, while a programme 

of valve replacement and 

installation of 135 consumer 

meterboxes has contributed 

greatly to reducing UFW. 

Lowville GWS: 

Raw water is pumped via a 

short section of new rising 

main to a treatment plant 

(design capacity 101m 3 /day). 

This has pressure filtration, 

UV/chlorination to remove 

turbidity and for disinfection. 

Ammonium levels are also 

monitored. 

A 90m 3 reservoir and universal 

metering were installed. 

Milltown Community GWS: 

A DAF plant, capacity of 

1,188m 3 /day. The process 

involves coagulation and 

flocculation followed by 

rapid gravity filtration and 

UV/chlorination. 

40 km of new pipeline and a 

new reservoir and pumping 

station have also been constructed. 

New Inn GWS: 

Water from seven shallow 

wells is collected in a 25m 3 

raw water balancing tank, 

from where it is pumped 

through a sand and anthracite 

filter to an existing high level 

reservoir 3 km away. 

UV is employed because of 

the shallow depth of the supplying 

aquifer. 

450 consumer meterboxes 

were installed. 

Rinn/Killeeneeen GWS: 

A treatment plant (design 

capacity of 150m 3 /day), 

equipped to deal with seasonal 

variations in raw water 

quality from a borehole 

source. Ozone and carbon filtration 

are provided. 

Network upgrading was also 

carried out to remove sections 

of critical mains on several 

side roads. 

10


Advertising Feature 

Kilcoona Caherlistrane Group Water Scheme utilises mobile 

technology to simplify meter reading and billing 

Kilcoona Caherlistrane GWS have introduced an integrated Meter Reading and Billing System to simplify 

their metering and billing process. The H 2 Office system will reduce overheads in managing the scheme and 

will automatically calculate end of year bills for each household, based on water use. The system provides 

traceability in relation to water consumption as well as accurate account details for each consumer, 

while eliminating the problems associated with collecting meter readings on paper and the tedious task of 

entering them onto a spreadsheet. 

Mobile Meter Reading 

The solution includes a rugged mobile computer 

for capturing meter readings at the consumer’s 

meter. The readings captured on this handheld 

device are uploaded to a desktop application that 

integrates with the TAS Books accounting system 

to generate detailed, itemised bills. 

Meter Management 

The system allows the group secretary to manage 

all customer and meter details on their PC, downloading 

to the mobile computer. Each meter has 

been fitted with a bar-coded tag to quickly identify 

it. The user simply scans the meter to retrieve the 

details. The previous meter reading is displayed 

and the current reading is entered. Once all the 

meters have been read, the user returns to base and 

docks the handheld device. All the captured meter 

data is uploaded to the PC and is stored electronically. 

The secretary can pull up and print historical 

meter readings for each member on the PC. 

Itemised Billing 

Customer billing is as simple as uploading the annual rental details 

and pressing enter. The system calculates the water consumption 

per customer over the previous period and generates an itemised 

bill. The system integrates seamlessly with TAS Books which provides 

comprehensive accounting facilities. 

Accounts Integration 

The solution provided is part of the H2Office suite from Heavey 

Mobile Computing and is designed specifically for Group Water 

Schemes. It reduces the amount of paperwork involved in reading 

meters and in calculating water consumption. The system maintains 

records of meter readings for each customer and by integrating with 

TAS Books provides standard accounting tools such as detailed 

invoices and statements. The product can be integrated with other 

accounting packages if required. 

Experience 

Heavey Mobile has extensive experience in water metering in the 

public sector. They have provided solutions for water meter surveying, 

installation and commissioning to Donegal, Mayo and 

Limerick County Councils. 

The rugged mobile computer is a Psion Teklogix Workabout Pro 

and is designed for outdoor use. It is spray and dust proof and when 

fitted with an extended life battery will operate over a full working 

day with recharging. The device can be fitted with an AMR 

(Automatic Meter Reading) reader. This allows meters to be read 

wirelessly, without physically having to access the meter. 

l-r: Conor McGuire (Heavey Mobile), Michael Moran, Claire McHugh, Leo 

McHugh (Kilcoona Caherlistrane Group Water Scheme) 

11


12


South 

Leinster 

DBO 

Project 

Concerns have been raised 

that the construction 

timetable for the South 

Leinster DBO bundle project 

is not on schedule. 

DBO Contractor, EPS Ltd, 

accepts that there has been 

slippage on the revised programme 

agreed last autumn 

and that the 18 May deadline 

for completion is unlikely to 

be met. 

To counteract programme 

delays, the DBO Steering 

Group has requested that EPS 

dedicate additional resources 

to the project. 

Current status 

Construction of the civil and 

mechanical and electrical 

works is at or near completion 

on approximately 26 

sites, with the remaining 7 

sites due to commence in the 

next few weeks. 

The critical path at this 

stage is in the commissioning 

and process proving area of 

the programme. To date, 14 

plants have been commissioned 

or are going through 

process proving. 

EPS has submitted a 

revised commissioning programme 

and has added additional 

staff to the commissioning 

crews. It is hoped that 

this will help minimise the 

programme slippage. 

To date no Take-Over- 

Certificates (TOC) have been 

issued to the contractor, due 

to some critical snagging. 

However many of these 

snags have been dealt with 

over the past two months and 

it is likely that TOCs for the 

first six GWS plants will be 

issued very shortly. 

Septic Tank Study 

Startling Evidence from Preliminary Results 

The National Source 

Protection Pilot Project at 

Churchill & Oram GWS has 

released preliminary figures 

from its ongoing survey of 

on-site wastewater treatment 

systems in the Milltown 

Lake catchment. 

These suggest that up to 

65% of systems are not functioning 

as intended and have 

the potential to contaminate 

source water supplies. 

The release of this startling 

evidence coincides with the 

formation of a sub-committee 

of the National Rural Water 

Monitoring Committee, set up 

to focus on the issue of septic 

tanks and to suggest ways in 

which the potential threats may 

be controlled or eliminated. 

Several members of the 

Source Protection Pilot 

Project have been co-opted to 

this sub-committee, including 

Director of the DkIT Centre 

for Freshwater Studies, Dr 

Suzanne Linnane. 

Study 

To date, 145 householders in 

the Churchill & Oram GWS 

area have completed questionnaires 

about their systems. 

Of these, 45 systems have 

been assessed non-intrusively 

through a combination of 

methods, including estimation 

of loading to the systems, 

measurement of system 

dimensions, visual inspection 

through the normal inspection 

accesses and of the percolation 

areas, as well as determining 

whether conditions of 

planning were adhered to. 

In addition, 5 systems have 

been intrusively examined 

through borehole installation 

in and around the vicinity of 

the systems and plans are in 

place to install further boreholes, 

subject to community 

13 

Some of the malfunctioning septic tank systems that have been examined as 

part of the Source Protection Pilot Project at Churchill & Oram GWS. To 

date, 145 local householders have co-operated with the septic tank survey. 

co-operation, which so far has 

been unfailing. 

Western RBD 

The extension of this part of 

the source protection project 

comes about as a direct result 

of the Western River Basin 

District (WRBD) Project and 

ESB International recently 

contracting out the National 

On-site Wastewater 

Treatment Study (OSWTS) to 

the Centre for Freshwater 

Studies at DkIT. 

This detailed body of work 

will feed directly into the 

Water Framework Directive 

and river basin catchment 

plans that will be formulated 

as part of its implementation. 

The extended septic tank 

research at DkIT is being led 

by Jim O’Donohoe and Dr 

Valerie McCarthy, both of 

whom are centrally involved 

in the National Source 

Protection Pilot Project. 

According to Dr Linnane, 

‘this extension of the project is 

yet another step in placing the 

group water sector and its proactive 

stance on source protection 

on the agenda, both 

nationally and internationally’.


CLÁR 

NFGWS Chairperson, Brendan O’Mahony presented 

a copy of the Federation Annual Report for 2007 to 

Minister Killeen, following the announcement of the 

Rural Water Programme allocations for 2008. 

National spotlight on 

H2O sales technique 

A company that uses pressure 

sales techniques to sell 

expensive, unnecessary and 

potentially dangerous 

undersink treatment systems 

to householders recently 

found itself the subject of 

national media scrutiny. 

The popular Liveline radio 

programme on RTE Radio 1 

broadcast caller after caller 

who had experienced the 

sales techniques of the H2O 

company ... but were far from 

impressed! 

Many callers focused on the 

role that the ‘Precipitator’ 

plays as part of the sales pitch 

by company representatives. 

As reported previously in 

Rural Water News, this piece 

of equipment is described as a 

‘useful sales tool’ because 

total dissolved solids (TDS) 

in water will conduct an electric 

charge so that peferctly 

healthy water turns a unsightly 

brownish colour. 

One woman complained that 

after testing her water in this 

way, the salesperson suggested 

that the TDS was very 

high, but her own research 

revealed that the levels were 

less than half those recommended 

in the EU standard. 

Spokesperson 

A company spokesperson 

came on air, desperately trying 

to undo some of the damage, 

but he was unable to 

counter specific allegations 

against the company’s pressurised 

and scaremongering 

sales techniques. 

The need to beware of such 

companies is highlighted in a 

newsletter being distributed 

by Monaghan GWS 

Federation to every group 

scheme household in the 

county. 

funding update 

Speaking in Castletownbere, County Cork, on 25 January 

2008, Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, 

Éamon Ó Cuív predicted accelerated take-up in 2008 of a 

CLÁR programme that ensures that no family has to pay more 

than €1,300 for a quality water supply. Stating that more than 

10,000 people have benefited from the programme since its 

introduction in 2002, he added: 

“There are still large parts of rural Ireland that are dependent 

on wells and other private sources for their water supply. 

These are of variable quality and often run dry during the 

drought periods of the summer. This causes major inconvenience 

to families as well as being a potential health hazard.” 

‘For years, it was argued that it would be too expensive to provide 

the people in the more isolated parts of rural Ireland with 

water connections to public or top quality group water 

schemes. I am delighted that the CLÁR programme has 

proved that this is not so. 

‘This scheme is accelerating as people become aware of it and 

get organised. It is estimated that it takes up to a year and a 

half from the time of a group coming together to the time that 

a group water scheme is ready for approval. It is known that 

there are now a large number of other schemes in the pipeline 

and it would be expected that the approvals in 2008 will 

exceed the approvals in 2007 showing that there are still large 

parts of the country that lack the provision of water. 

*** 

A total of 119 County Galway households are to benefit from 

top-up funding of €642,030 towards the cost of connecting 

them to Gortanumera GWS. This contract is valued at more 

than €1.5 million, the balance coming from the DoEHLG. 

Each householder is saving €5,395 thanks to CLÁR support! 

*** 

Savings of €2,352 will accrue to each of 24 householders connecting 

to Lougher GWS in County Kerry. €56,440 has been 

provided as top-up funding by CLÁR. The balance of the 

€239,282 required is coming from the DoEHLG. 

*** 

Just over €200,000 top-up funding will help connect 21 Mayo 

householders to Comminch GWS at an affordable cost. These 

householders are each saving €9,948 on the €368,899 contract. 

*** 

In County Limerick, 19 households are connecting to 

Ballynamuddagh GWS with top-up CLÁR funding of 

€73,429. Here the saving total nearly €4,000 per household. 

*** 

Smaller top-up grant aid is set to assist eight householders in 

Donegal and three in Clare to secure a quality water supply at 

an affordable cost. The Donegal homes will connect to Drim 

GWS, while those in Clare will link into Cloncoul GWS. 

*** 

Cúil Aodha GWS in Co. Cork has secured a CLÁR development 

grant of €6,000, towards an upgrade programme that will 

cost €117,750 in total. 

14


Water Quality Report 2006-7 

A new departure for environmental watchdog 

The recent release of the 

EPA’s Water Quality 

Report signalled a decisive 

break with the past, as the 

emphasis shifted from 

reporting non-compliance 

to the identification and 

management of all risks 

associated with drinking 

water supplies. 

Equipped with new 

enforcement powers under 

the Drinking Water 

Regulations (SI278/‘07), the 

EPA has wasted no time in 

making local authorities 

aware of what this will mean 

in terms of assessing their 

performance. 

Snapshot 

In a press release accompanying 

publication of the Water 

Quality report on 24 January, 

the environmental watchdog 

makes clear that ‘sampling of 

drinking water tap provides 

only a snapshot of the quality 

of the water supply and cannot 

be relied on as the sole 

indicator of a safe and secure 

drinking water supply’. 

Ger O’Leary, Programme 

Manager, EPA Office of 

Environmental Enforcement, 

goes on to argue that this 

approach must give way to ‘a 

wider range of control and 

management criteria than has 

previously been the case’. He 

added: 

‘There are two requirements 

in providing clean and 

wholesome drinking water; 

firstly, the water supplier 

needs to ensure that water is 

safe to drink and secondly, 

the water supplier needs to 

ensure that the water supply 

is secure. 

‘To provide for a safe and 

secure drinking water supply, 

the EPA is now requiring that 

all risks associated with a 

water supply be identified, 

monitored and managed.’ 

Health Impact 

Setting out the priorities for 

2008, Dara Lynott, Director, 

EPA Office of 

Environmental Enforcement, 

said: 

‘The enforcement of the 

Drinking Water Regulations 

by the EPA will be risk-based 

and outcome-driven. The 

principal risks to drinking 

water are those that have a 

health impact, particularly 

contamination of supplies 

associated with E. coli and 

Cryptosporidium. 

‘The highest number of notifications 

received by the 

EPA in 2007 related to contamination 

of supplies with 

E. coli. This situation is unacceptable’, 

he concluded. 

Supervisory Authority 

Because of the EPA’s new 

role as the supervisory 

authority for public water 

supplies, there was less focus 

than usual on the GWS sector. 

Nonetheless, the results of 

monitoring during 2006 

showed that considerable 

improvement is required. In 

all, based on analysis of 

22,000 tests in both public 

and private schemes, the 

report found that: 

• E. coli was detected at least 

once in 77 out of 944 public 

water supplies. This indicates 

intermittent contamination 

of over 8 per cent of 

public water supplies; 

• E. coli was detected in 

almost 36 per cent of private 

group water schemes. 

This means that 246 out of 

688 schemes monitored 

were contaminated at least 

once during 2006; 

• Compliance with the 

required chemical standards 

was satisfactory for all supplies 

(99.3 per cent); 

McCumiskey House, headquarters of the EPA’s Office of 

Environmental Enforcement. 

Cryptosporidium 

The lessons learned from last 

year’s Cryptosporidium outbreak 

in Galway are emphasised 

in the report, in particular 

the danger of relying solely 

on sampling at the tap. 

The Galway supply was 

sampled more than 500 times 

in 2006, with over 99 per 

cent of samples compliant. 

However, what these samples 

failed to show was the underlying 

identification of the 

supply as ‘very high risk’ in 

relation to Cryptosporidium’. 

As Ger O’Leary points out: 

‘The Cryptosporidium contamination 

of the Galway City 

water supply shows that sampling 

at the tap, on its own, 

does not guarantee the safety 

of the drinking water supply if 

the security of the supply has 

not been dealt with. 

‘Compliance with the 48 

drinking water standards has 

to be taken as the minimum 

requirement to be achieved, 

not something to be aspired 

to over a number of years.’ 

Enforcement Action 

Since the introduction of new 


in 2007 the EPA has identified 

over 300 public water 

supplies for further enforcement 

action following: 

• risk assessments undertaken 

by local authorities 

• a review of over three years 

drinking water data 

• audits of water treatment 

plants 

• consultations with the 

Health Services Executive 

• liaison with the DoEHLG. 

The EPA points out that these 

actions will require the 

replacement of some supplies, 

a significant capital 

investment in other supplies 

and/or significant changes in 

operational practices. 

15


Assessing the Cryptosporidium Risk 

The challenge facing the GWS sector 

One of the biggest challenges 

facing group water 

schemes and local authorities 

is identifying if their 

supply is at risk of infection 

by the parasitic organism 

Cryptosporidium and, in 

particular, if there is an 

associated health risk. 

The good news is that all of 

the challenges we are currently 

facing regarding the 

potential risk of Cryptosporidium 

have been faced 

by others over the past 20 

years. The question is, what 

can we learn from their experiences? 

Interestingly, the only 

countries in the world that 

have implemented mandatory 

risk assessment and monitoring 

for Cryptosporidium in 

drinking water supplies are 

countries that have suffered 

major outbreaks – namely the 

USA, Australia, New 

Zealand, Japan and the UK. 

Dr Colin Fricker 

When researching these outbreaks 

and the actions that 

were taken, I discovered one 

common remedial factor and 

that factor was Dr Colin 

Fricker. 

Originally employed as 

Head of Microbiology at 

Thames Water in England – 

during which time he advised 

the Drinking Water 

Inspectorate (through the 

Standing Committee of 

Analysts) and the United 

States Environmental 

Protection Agency on matters 

pertaining to 

Cryptosporidium detection – 

Dr Fricker was appointed 

Senior Scientific advisor to 

the New South Wales Inquiry 

into the Sydney water crisis 

in 1998. 

Since 1999 he has consulted 

water providers and others on 

In January, the EPA issued a Cryptosporidium risk 

assessment pack to all local authorities, with a clear 

message that immediate steps must be taken to protect 

the security of drinking water supplies. Based 

on the Scottish model of risk assessment, the EPA 

acknowledges that this is less than perfect. 

Welcoming the environmental agency’s focus on 

this issue, Dr Malcolm Bell of Technopath provides 

an alternative view on how risk assessment might be 

addressed in the context of rural water supplies. 

aspects of Cryptosporidium 

including treatment, laboratory 

testing and media relations 

in Africa, Asia, 

Australia, Europe and North 

and South America. 

It is hugely significant, 

therefore, that Dr Fricker has 

agreed to become involved as 

part of a joint initiative 

between Technopath and the 

National Centre for 

Freshwater Studies in DkIT 

[see story on facing page]. 

The objective of this partnership 

is to develop a model 

of risk assessment suitable 

for group water schemes. 

Scottish model 

For historic and geographical 

reasons the Scottish model 

for Cryptosporidium risk 

assessment – developed to 

determine the frequency at 

which sampling should be 

undertaken – was adopted in 

Ireland and has since been 

modified on several occasions. 

However, it was never 

intended to be a model of 

health risk. In our opinion 

there are still aspects to determination 

of risk that are not 

addressed by either the original 

Scottish model, or any of 

its modifications. 

So what exactly is Cryptosporidium? It is a waterborne parasite (pictured 

above with a green stain) that causes the disease cryptosporidiosis. 

Symptoms of the disease are vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and 

fever usually lasting one to two weeks. In immuno-suppressed individuals, 

the disease can be fatal. Chlorine disinfection will not kill it. 

Several factors 

In using risk assessment to 

understand the level of risk, 

several important factors 

need to be considered. 

First and foremost, the contribution 

of contamination 

from a variety of sources, 

including both animal and 

human faecal material, needs 

to be assessed. 

Where semi-quantitative 

risk assessments are performed, 

the relative risk associated 

with the different 

sources needs to be 

addressed. 

This should include a variety 

of factors such as the amount 

of faecal material produced, 

the likelihood of oocysts that 

are infectious for human 

beings being present and the 

“mobility” of the faecal 

material. 

Treatment plants 

Assessment of treatment 

plants is also of paramount 

importance when developing 

a risk-based approach to 

dealing with water supplies. 

It is simply not adequate to 

determine the risk reduction 

based upon the type of treatment 

present. 

The performance indicators 

of treatment need to be considered 

and any risk reduction for 

treatment needs to assess how 

well the plant is performing 

and, in particular, the consistency 

of performance. This is 

often ignored in risk assessment 

studies. 

Source of contamination 

Any approach to determining 

the risk must take into 

account the specific sources 

of contamination and the 

likelihood of that contamination 

containing oocysts that 

are infectious for humans. 

Much of this information has 

only become available in the 

16


last two to three years and 

has been generated by molecular 

analysis of the DNA of 

the parasites. Recent research 

has shown that the degree of 

cross species infectivity is 

much lower than previously 

thought with many species. 

This means that faecal 

material from some animals 

represents little or no risk to 

public health. 

Not only do we take this 

into account when performing 

risk assessments, we can, 

if required, arrange for this 

analysis to be undertaken in 

water catchments where the 

source of contamination cannot 

be determined by other 

mechanisms. 

DkIT Centre for Freshwater Studies 

invests in Crypto monitoring equipment 

Proportion 

Molecular fingerprinting 

technology can determine 

what proportion of faecal 

contamination in a given 

water source is due to human 

faeces or to a variety of other 

animal species. 

Furthermore, plant performance 

can be assessed by 

undertaking an analysis of 

monitoring data generated at 

the plant. Where such data 

does not exist, Technopath 

would recommend a sampling 

and analysis programme that 

will allow an assessment of 

plant performance. 

In conclusion, accurate 

assessment of the true relative 

risk can result in significant 

savings on capital 

expenditure and/or operating 

costs. And crucially, any 

approach to risk assessment 

should also address remedial 

A substantial grant from 

Enterprise Ireland has 

allowed the National Centre 

for Freshwater Studies at 

Dundalk Institute of 

Technology to invest in 

equipment for sampling, 

detection and typing of the 

Cryptosporidium microbe. 

This acquisition makes 

DkIT the first academic institution 

in the country to possess 

this specialised equipment. 

It will be used to analyse 

both raw and treated drinking 

water from across the group 

water scheme sector, starting 

with the water supply for 

Churchill & Oram GWS in 

County Monaghan, the focus 

of the National Source 

Protection Pilot Project. 

Specialised 

This specialised equipment 

will allow the DkIT project 

team to detect and enumerate 

micro-organisms present in a 

water sample with a large 

degree of sensitivity. 

Coupled with the high 

speed and accuracy of the 

monitoring equipment, the 

freshwater centre can be confident 

about the reliability of 

the results obtained. 

Risk Assessment 

In addition to the planned 

routine monitoring, the DkIT 

Project team also intends to 

work closely with 

Technopath, the product suppliers 

and with Dr Colin 

Fricker, a highly-respected 

environmental microbiologist, 

in the roll-out of a 

Cryptosporidium risk assessment 

tool specifically 

designed to suit the needs of 

the GWS sector. 

measures that can be used to 

reduce the risk level to 

acceptable levels. For 

Cryptosporidium, prevention 

is the most effective solution. 

There is a growing body of evidence that human faeces is the main source 

of the Crypto parasite, so the issue of the effectiveness of septic tanks and 

other wastewater treatment systems must be addressed as a priority. 

Training in the use of Cryptosporidium monitoring equipment at the Churchill & Oram GWS reservoir on 26 

February. Present were members of the DkIT Source Protection Project team, Technopath personnel (including 

Dr Malcom Bell on extreme right), Dr Colin Fricker (second from right), local GWS activists (Deirdre Davis 

and Mac Boyd)and Gladys Subileau of Veolia Water (fifth from left). 

Training in the use of the 

Cryptosporidium monitoring 

equipment took place in the 

Churchill & Oram GWS area 

and at DkIT over three days 

from the 26-28 February. Dr. 

Fricker and Technopath personnel 

attended. 

17


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18


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10b Northwest Business and Technology Park 

Carrick on Shannon, Co. Leitrim 

Regional 

Reports 

Connacht 

Region 

by Karen Mulkeen, 

Paul Connolly and Joe Gallagher 

Leitrim 

The allocation (€6.5 million) 

to Leitrim under the Rural 

Water Programme was welcomed 

by GWS Federation 

chairperson, Mary Bohan. 

Addressing delegates to the 

Federation AGM on 12 

March, Ms Bohan outlined 

developments in the RWP in 

the county over the past year. 

It was agreed that Federation 

meetings are required on a 

more regular basis and to this 

end, a further meeting will be 

scheduled in April. 

*** 

Concerns were raised by representatives 

of Cornashanogue 

GWS in relation to receipt of a 

letter of direction from the 

local authority. NFGWS 

regional officer, Paul 

Connolly is to liaise with 

Leitrim County Council on 

this matter. 

*** 

The contract to connect 

Ballinagleragh GWS to the 

North Leitrim Regional 

T: 071 962 1875 

F: 071 962 2859 

Supply is 90% complete and 

pipe testing is under way. A 

new reservoir contract is currently 

at appraisal stage. 

*** 

Bluehills Consultants state 

that a recommendation has 

recently been made for the 

advance works contract on 

Sliabh an Iarann GWS. This 

W: www.bluehills.ie 

E : info@bluehills.ie 

scheme is part of the 

Roscommon DBO bundle. 

Galway 

The official opening of 

plants in the first DBO bundle 

was held at Kilcoona- 

Caherlistrane GWS treatment 

plant on Friday 29 

February. See pages 8-11. 

Brierfield committee members pictured with Minister Tony Killeen, TD at the first Galway DBO bundle opening. 

19


*** 

All plants in the bundle are 

fully operational and takingover-certificates 

have been 

issued for all of them, with 

the exception of New Inn, 

where resolution of a number 

of source issues is pending. 

Snagging works to well 

head chambers are completed. 

*** 

Of the three advance works 

contracts in respect of the first 

DBO bundle, construction if 

fully completed on two of 

these (contracts 1 & 3). 

Only some pipe bursting 

works remained to be completed 

on contract 2. 

*** 

On 28 February, Milltown 

Community GWS became 

the first scheme in Galway to 

complete training in the 

revised NFGWS Quality 

Assurance system. 

As part of QA implementation, 

the scheme plans to 

complete a risk assessment 

of its source (the Clare River) 

and to formulate practical 

remediation measures. 

*** 

Galway DBO 1 Liaison 

Monitoring Committee met 

on 5 March, with nine 

schemes represented. The next 

meeting was set for 18 June. 

*** 

An information meeting for 

schemes in the second 

Galway DBO bundle was 

held in Athenry on Tuesday, 

11 March. The purpose of 

the meeting was to discuss 

the tendering process for the 

bundle, as well as progress 

on advance works contracts, 

conservation measures, 

licensing and subsidy. 

In light of continuing discussions 

in relation to tenders for 

the DBO contract, the meeting 

adopted two proposals: 

1. To continue process of 

advancing the best value for 

money, up to and including 

going back to market for 

retender. 

2. That all advance works 

contracts proceed, with a 

view to spending the maximum 

allocation of 25.7 million 

for 2008. 

20


*** 

There are six advance works 

contracts involved in the second 

DBO bundle, as follows: 

Contract no. 1: Site investigation 

works. These are 

completed. 

Contract no. 2: Installation 

of a rising main and reservoir 

on Glinsk/Creggs GWS as 

well as laying 36,700m of 

main on the amalgamated 

Cappataggle GWS. 

The rising main and reservoir 

have been constructed, 

while pipe-laying is nearing 

completion on road sections 

of the Glynsk-Creggs 

upgrade. 

Almost 6 kms of watermain 

has been laid in Cappataggle 

to date and welding of the 

main has commenced in the 

Killoran/Killalaghton area. 


of about 48 kms of pipework 

and metering on CBC Group 

Water Scheme. 

Work commenced in 

December and 6 kms of 

pipework have been laid to 

date. 

Contract no. 4: This contract 

includes laying over 43 

kms of pipework and 

installing meters on the West 

Galway schemes, including 

Ballinakill Moyard, Loch 

Hibirt (Leitir Maoláin), 

Clonbur Cornamona, 

Kilconieron, Barnaderg, 

Gallagh and Bullaun GWS. 

The tender recommendation 

report has been issued to 

Galway County Council. 

Contract no. 5: This 

involves the laying of 35 

kms of pipes and metering 

on schemes in south Galway, 

including Lydacan, 

Ballyaneen Rakerin, Abbey 

Kylemore, Peterswell 

Castledaly and Kiltiernan. 

The tender was expected to 

be advertised before the end 

of March. 


of 23 kms of pipes and 

meters at Menlough GWS. 

The closing date for tenders 

was 4 March. These are currently 

being assessed. 

*** 

The AGM of Galway 

Federation of GWS took 

place on 13 February. 

NFGWS Development officer, 

Karen Mulkeen, gave a 

presentation on the Drinking 

Water Regulations (ST 

278/07) and the Water 

Services Act. 

Several other important 

issues, including management 

of group schemes, 

Quality Assurance, Health & 

Safety and communications 

were discussed. 

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Kiltevna and Toberowen-Lissybroder Group Water Schemes opened the doors of their DBO treatment plant to the pupils of Gortaleam National 

School on Wednesday, 6 February. The scheme wanted to demonstrate to pupils the fact that water is a precious resource and should be conserved. 

Pictured in the photograph with the pupils are: Gerry Hussey (Principal), Noreen McHugh (Teacher), Margaret Bourke (Secretary Toberowen- 

Lissybroder GWS), John Mullins (Chairperson Toberowen-Lissybroder GWS) and Treatment Plant Operator, Conor Skehan (Treatment Systems 

Services Ltd.). 

21


Mayo 

Ballycroy GWS recently 

appointed a part-time manager 

to help with the process of 

preparing for commissioning 

of their new water treatment 

plant. 

Commissioning has been 

delayed because of raw water 

quality issues. A drum filter 

is being installed upstream 

from the plant in order to 

address this issue. 

A 5 km section of critical 

mains has been replaced and 

the process of switching consumers 

over to the new network 

is about to commence. 

This should reduce the 

amount of water loss on the 

network. 

*** 

There are similar raw water 

issues in Killeen GWS and a 

drum filter is also being 

installed there. 

*** 

A full-time manager has been 

appointed by Fahy GWS. 

The DBO treatment plant is 

at an advanced stage of construction, 

with Mechanical & 

Electrical installation progressing 

well. 

Commissioning of the plant 

should take place in April or 

early May. 

*** 

Nine of the thirteen plants in 

Mayo DBO bundle 1 are now 

operational. They include 

B r a c k l o o n / S p a d d a g h , 

Laghta, Lough Carra, 

Drummin, Lough Mask/ 

Creevagh, Kilmeena, 

Glenhest, Kilmovee/Urlaur, 

and Belderrig. 

*** 

The Part 8 planning application 

for Mayo DBO bundle 2 

will go before the April 

meeting of Mayo County 

Council. This process was 

delayed following the intervention 

of The National Parks 

& Wildlife Service who 

raised concerns about plans 

for some schemes in the bundle 

that are located in Special 

Areas of Conservation 

(SACs). 

TSSL Ltd won the tender for 

for this bundle and contracts 

will be signed following the 

formal granting of planning 

permission for the various 

works. 

*** 

Almost 50 km of piping has 

been laid by Carty 

Contractors out of a total of 

90 km in the advance works 

contract. Currently the contract 

is running 2 months 

ahead of schedule. 

Most of this pipe has been 

laid in the PBKS (Prizon, 

Ballyvary, Keelogues & 

Straide) area. 

*** 

Mayo RWMC held its quarterly 

meeting in Castlebar on 

Wednesday 26 March. 

The meeting heard that the 

land ownership dispute that 

has delayed construction of 

the DBO treatment plant at 

Glencorrib GWS remains 

unresolved. 

A resolution passed at a 

Special General Meeting of 

Glecorrib members on 29 

January reads ‘that this SGM 

of Glencorrib GWS here 

authorises and instructs the 

management committee to 

take whatever action is 

deemed necessary to protect 

our existing rights and legal 

entitlements at out intake 

works and pumping station 

site, at Lough Corrib and to 

secure this site for the completion 

of our new water 

treatment plant and associated 

works.’ 

*** 

Logboy GWS and Sraheens 

(Aghagower) GWS have 

connected to the public main. 

Coogue, Larganboy and 

Holywell schemes are still 

awaiting permission to connect. 

Upgrading of Keenagh 

GWS is in progress and 

should be completed by mid- 

2008. 

*** 

Kilcummin, Moyne/Meelick, 

Rathoma, Tooreen/Fotish, 

Tiernaur were recently takenin-charge. 

The takeover of 

process is well advanced in 

the case of Brize, 

Cloonfinnaun, Cloongullane, 

Logacurra, Farragh, Lakehill, 

Bollinglana and Rookfield 

Group Water Schemes. 

Recently-appointed managers from four County Mayo group water schemes, joined three schemes from Sligo’s South East DBO bundle for training 

in the NFGWS Quality assurance system. The course was held in the 

22


Work on the upgrading of 

Milehill GWS in advance of 

takeover is well advanced, 

while work on the 

Rathgranagher GWS is due 

to commence shortly. 

*** 

Approximately 30 other 

schemes have applied for 

takeover and Mayo County 

council is expecting a large 

number of additional applications 

next year, once the new 

non-domestic metering policy 

is implemented. 

One factor delaying the connection 

of schemes to the 

Lough Mask Regional 

Supply, however, has been an 

ongoing problem with UFW. 

*** 

Mayo GWS Federation 

AGM took place in Day’s 

Hotel Castlebar on the 22 

January. The same officers 

were returned for the coming 

year. Joe Harte 

(Chairperson), John Gavin 

(Secretary) & Tom Staunton 

(Treasurer). The meeting formulated 

two motions for consideration 

at the ADC. 

*** 

Frank Harvey was scheduled 

to deliver a course titled 

“Distribution Network 

Management in the T. F. 

Royal Hotel Castlebar on 

Thursday 27 March. 

Roscommon 

The County Federation held 

its AGM on 26 February. 

Two motions were forwarded 

to the ADC; one in relation to 

the retention of money on 

upgrading works, the other 

calling for the commencement 

of advance works for 

the Roscommon DBO bundle. 

P. J. Fannon, Tommy 

Cunniffe and Tom Gunning 

were nominated to attend the 

ADC in March. 

*** 

Two managers have been 

appointed to amalgamated 

group schemes. Yvonne 

Halton is manager of the 

Corracreigh GWS, while 

Tommy Cunniffe will manage 

Oran Ballintober GWS. We 

wish them both the very best 

in their new positions. 

*** 

Camlin Ballinameen GWS 

recently held a full members 

meeting to discuss the future 

of their GWS. After unsuccessfully 

exploring the possibilities 

of drilling a new well 

and participating in the 

Roscommon DBO bundle, 

the scheme were left with 

limited options in terms of 

remaining independent. 

Since the introduction of 

metering on the Cavetown 

Lake supply, Roscommon 

Co. Co. had reduced their 

output from that plant and 

could therefore connect the 

Camlin Ballinameen Scheme 

to the Cavetown Lake supply. 

This was put forward to 

the meeting and voted on the 

night. It was decided that this 

was the only viable option. 

Members started completing 

the taking-in-charge process 

on the night. Roscommon 

Co. Co. explained that works 

would commence in the coming 

months and will be completed 

by the end of the summer. 

*** 

Similarly, Tartan Scurmore 

GWS will shortly hold a full 

members’ meeting to discuss 

their options in light of the 

failure to locate a good 

source despite numerous 

efforts in recent years. It was 

planned that this scheme 

would be part of the 

Roscommon bundle, but its 

members must now decide if 

connection to the public supply, 

via Camlin Ballinameen 

GWS offers the only viable 

way forward. 

*** 

The recent passing of Larry 

Freehily deprives the group 

water sector in Roscommon 

of one of its stalwarts. Larry 

was one of the main organisers 

of Ballymacurly GWS 

and always shared his expertise 

with other GWS personnel 

at meetings. His advice 

was always highly respected. 

He regularly represented 

Roscommon at national 

meetings and was a member 

on the Roscommon DBO 

Steering Group. Ar dheis Dia 

go raibh a anam dílis. 

Sligo 

Sligo Federation AGM was 

held in Ballisodare on 5 

February. The outgoing officers 

were returned; Michael 

Fleming (Chairperson), 

Stephen Hannon (Secretary), 

Brendan Currid (Treasurer). 

NFGWS Development 

Officer, Paul Connolly delivered 

a presentation on the 

Quality Assurance system 

being rolled out by the 

NFGWS. He also dealt with 

recent changes in Health & 

Safety legislation as it relates 

to group water schemes. 

*** 

Three group water schemes 

from the Sligo South East 

DBO bundle attended an 

NFGWS Quality Assurance 

training event held on 25 

February in the National 

Parks & Wildlife Service 

training centre in Ballinafad. 

The schemes represented 

were Corrick, Keash and 

Geevagh/Highwood. 

There was a very positive 

feedback from all who 

attended the course. It is 

hoped that the remaining 

Sligo DBO schemes will 

complete the course in the 

coming weeks. 

*** 

A number of schemes in the 

county have expressed some 

frustration that boil notices in 

place for several years have 

not yet been lifted despite the 

opening of their DBO treatment 

plants in 2006. This 

issue is being addressed by 

local NFGWS development 

officer, Paul Connolly, in 

consultation with Sligo 

County Council Water 

Services Section. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23


Leinster 

Region 

by Barry Deane & 

Joe Gallagher 

Carlow 

Commissioning is underway 

on the St Mullins Parish 

GWS DBO treatment plant. 

This will take a number of 

weeks, as theirs is one of the 

more technical plants to 

process prove. The universal 

metering contract is almost 

complete at this stage. 

*** 

Ballinabranna GWS treatment 

plant has been commissioned 

and is being operated by EPS. 

The scheme has noticed a 

considerable drop in daily 

demand since the first 

metered bills were issued late 

last year. Contracts for a distribution 

mains upgrade were 

signed recently and work will 

start shortly. Besides replacing 

many smaller mains, the 

upgrade will link two sections 

of the scheme currently being 

fed from separate sources. 

*** 

Knock/Ballyglisheen GWS, a 

small scheme in south 

Carlow with water quality 

problems is considering 

upgrade solutions. 

*** 

Carlow & Wexford GWS 

Federation held its AGM in 

Ballon in February. The location 

was chosen to encourage 

the attendance from 

Wexford. This had the 

desired effect as a number of 

Wexford and all Carlow 

schemes were represented. 

The meeting forwarded two 

motions to the ADC in relation 

to training and funding 

for GWS management. 

Silliot Hill, Blackrath and 

Clongorey GWS. 

*** 

Plans are in place to install 

disinfection on Kilteel GWS 

over the next few months. 

*** 

Gormanstown GWS met EPS 

Ltd. for a site meeting in 

February. Work on the DBO 

treatment plant will begin 

over the next few weeks. 

The committee is proposing 

to relocate to a new reservoir 

site as part of its upgrade, 

subject to a suitable site 

being purchased. 

The committee advertised for 

the post of part-time manager 

in recent months and is due to 

make an appointment shortly. 

*** 

Narraghmore GWS is considering 

upgrade proposals. 

The scheme will be intersected 

a number of times by the 

New N81 and the committee 

is liaising with the NRA on 

this matter. 

Water quality is of a high 

standard, but the committee 

is anxious to replace critical 

mains and install meters. 

*** 

It is hoped to begin work this 

year on the proposed 

Mountprospect/Clonbrin 

GWS. This publicly-sourced 

GWS is a cross border project 

between Kildare and 

Offaly and requires agreement 

by both county councils 

on a Section 85 before construction 

can go ahead. 

People in the area are frustrated 

with the delay on the 

project and expect that both 

local authorities can come to 

an agreement shortly. 

Kilkenny 

At its January meeting, the 

Rural Water Monitoring 

Committee discussed upgrading 

proposals for 2008. The 

committee hopes to improve 

overall draw down of funds 

within the county. 

*** 

Kilkenny Federation of 

Group Water Schemes held 

its AGM in February. The 

meeting was attended by 

Michael Arthurs, Rural 

Water Liaison Officer and 

Eamon Mahon, Engineer, 

both from Kilkenny Co. 

Council. Michael Arthurs 

outlined what is happening in 

the water services in 

Kilkenny and areas where 

improvements are being 

made. The county council is 

currently mapping all sources 

and distribution mains within 

the county and adding this 

information on their CIS. 

Motions on source protection 

and capital grant aid were 

submitted to the ADC. 

*** 

Kilkenny Co. Co. and the 

NFGWS are jointly planning 

to meet several schemes in 

the county that have water 

quality issues. It is hoped to 

agree sustainable solutions. 

*** 

Four of the five Kilkenny 

group water schemes 

involved in the South Leinster 

DBO project are now being 

operated by EPS Ltd. and 

commissioning is due to commence 

shortly on the 

Ballycallan GWS where a site 

meeting took place in the first 

week of March. 

Improvement works on the 

Ballycallan reservoir will 

also commence shortly. 

*** 

Highrath GWS completed an 

upgrade to its treatment and 

storage facilities two years 

ago but is now considering 

some critical mains replacement. 

Kildare 

The RWMC met in January 

to review progress during 

2007 and to look at proposals 

for the coming year. The 

committee hopes to start 

work on several takeover 

projects shortly, including 

Contracts for an upgrade on the Ballinabranna GWS network were signed on 15 February. Present were 

Cllr Jim Townsend, Cathaoirleach, Carlow Co. Co., John Carley, A. Director of Services, Carlow Co. Co., 

Austin Kinsella, Chairperson, Ballinabranna GWS, Liz Amond, Secretary, Ballinabranna GWS, Mary 

Cotter, EAE Consultancy Ltd and David Walsh, Contractor. 

24


25


Laois 

There was a good attendance 

at Laois GWS Federation 

AGM in February. Three 

motions were forwarded to 

the ADC, two in relation to 

source protection and one in 

relation to sampling points 

under the new Drinking 

Water Regulations. 

*** 

The Heath GWS hopes to finish 

the final phase of their 

upgrade later this year. The 

scheme introduced a metered 

charging system last year and 

has noticed a drop in daily 

demand since then. 

*** 

Ballacolla GWS treatment 

plant is now constructed and 

will begin commissioning 

shortly. The next phase of 

works on the distribution 

mains has commenced and an 

amalgamation with Killeaney 

GWS will be completed later 

this year. The scheme held a 

site meeting with the NRA in 

March. The new M7/M8 

motorway cuts through the 

GWS and it is hoped that, 

with proper management, 

disruption will be minimised. 

*** 

Laois RWMC met in January 

and reported an overspend for 

2007. The county has 

received a total of €3.7 million 

for 2008 and Laois Co. 

Co. is confident that the full 

allocation will be drawn 

down. 

*** 

Prior to construction of their 

DBO treatment plants, 

Ballypickas and Donaghmore 

Group Water Schemes held 

site meeting with the contractor, 

EPS Ltd., in February. 

Work has now started on the 

Donaghmore site, while Ballypickas 

will commence soon. 

Rural Water Section. Stan 

will be greatly missed by all 

those involved in the Rural 

Water Programme in Offaly 

*** 

Two schemes – Durrow 

Ballybough GWS and 

Ballydaly GWS – are to be 

taken-in-charge. 

Ballydaly GWS was set up 

by the late Frank O'Brien, 

who developed a well on his 

own land, then expanded it to 

supply his neighbours. The 

scheme quickly grew to 

about 50 houses, before connecting 

to Tullamore PWS in 

recent years. Sadly, Frank 

passed away late last year. 

Wexford 

The RWMC met in March to 

review progress in the county. 

*** 

Askamore GWS pipeline 

replacement – phase 5 – is 

complete and the remainder 

will be tendered shortly. The 

pipeline replacement contract 

for Monamolin GWS will start 

within a few weeks. 

*** 

Kilanerin GWS DBO treatment 

plant is now being operated 

by EPS Ltd. The scheme 

hopes to commence a universal 

metering contract in April. 

*** 

Borrmount GWS DBO treatment 

plant has entering the 

process proving stage. It is 

likely that EPS Ltd. will be 

operating the plant shortly. 

*** 

Construction of the Mullaun 

GWS DBO treatment plant 

and storage tanks commenced 

during February. 

Wicklow 

The Rural Water Monitoring 

Committee focused on 

takeover proposals at its 

meeting in March. 

*** 

Tombrean GWS pipe work 

was completed in 2007 and 

the scheme is now being supplied 

from Tinahely PWS. 

Work will commence shortly 

on Tomacork GWS which is 

also connecting to the 

Tinahely supply. 

The first phase of pipe work 

to connect Manor Kilbride 

and Oldcourt schemes to the 

Blessington regional supply 

is nearing completion. 

However progress on the 

upgrade of the Blessington 

supply is slow. 

Hempstown and Tinode 

group schemes are also due 

to connect to the Blessington 

supply and their upgrades 

will be considered over the 

coming months. 

*** 

Wicklow & Kildare FGWS 

met in February. While the 

attendance could have been 

better, it proved worthwhile 

for those that made the effort. 

Two motions were forwarded 

to the ADC, one in relation to 

capital grant aid, the other 

was about GWS training. 

*** 

Blainroe GWS has completed 

a mains and treatment 

upgrade to their scheme. It is 

proposed that the GWS will 

connect to the Wicklow 

regional scheme, but 

progress is slow on the 

regional upgrade. The GWS 

has replaced some mains that 

will facilitate the proposed 

connection. An interim treatment 

plant has been installed. 

*** 

Baltyboys GWS DBO treatment 

plant is now complete 

and EPS Ltd. are operating 

the plant. The GWS is in the 

process of switching over 

from the old to the new system 

and this is due to be completed 

shortly. 

*** 

Construction of Ballingate 

GWS DBO treatment plant is 

to begin shortly. The scheme 

held a site meeting with EPS 

in February. It is hoped that 

works on the site will start 

over the coming weeks. 

Offaly 

The RWMC met on the 21st 

February to discuss the proposed 

works to be completed 

under the 2008 RWP. 

*** 

Best wishes to Stan McKeon 

who has moved on from the 

The site meeting at Donaghmore GWS treatment plant site in February. Construction is now underway. 

26


Munster 

Region 

by Joe Gallagher & 

Barry Deane 

Clare 

Dysart Toonagh GWS 

recently met with the Local 

Authority, Jennings 

O’Donovan, the NFGWS and 

the DoEHLG to discuss 

changes in the quality of their 

raw water and the implications 

that this has had on the 

performance of their DBO 

plant. The Client’s 

Representative had requested 

a proposal from the DBO 

contractor, EPS to treat water 

with a higher colour. This 

proposal was put to the meeting 

and discussed in detail. 

The proposal will now be 

assess more detail and will be 

examined in relation to value 

for money for the GWS. 

*** 

Killone GWS similarly met 

with the Local Authority, 

Jennings O’Donovan, the 

NFGWS and the DoEHLG to 

discuss problems in relation 

to water demand. At present 

the scheme is rationing water 

to its members. Following 

from the meeting, non 

domestic water use on the 

scheme is to be assessed in 

detail to see if there is more 

water required than was estimated 

in the design stage for 

the DBO contracts. The 

group is currently installing 

meters on all connections and 

as soon as this is completed it 

will be easy to monitor usage 

and to determine where 

wastage may be occurring. 

*** 

Three Clare group schemes 

completed the NFGWS 

Quality Assurance System 

training course in mid 

January. Thanks to Noel 

Carmody for his assistance in 

organising this course, and 

also for demonstrating how 

the monitoring equipment 

works. Also thanks to the 

scheme representatives for 

giving freely of their time to 

attend. 

*** 

Upgrading works on 

Kilnaboy GWS are 90% 

complete at present and the 

contractor is due back on site 

shortly. Engineers from Clare 

Co. Co. are overseeing the 

contract, ensuring that it is 

completed to the required 

specifications. 

*** 

Clare GWS Federation met 

in early March. Three 

motions were forwarded to 

the ADC: in relation to the 

subsidy review, the proposed 

appointment of an independent 

person to deal with the 

performance of contractors & 

engineers and the future of 

local monitoring committees. 

Representatives of three Clare group schemes were joined by NFGWS 

staff for a Quality Assurance training course held in Ennis in January. 

27


Cork 

For the first time in several 

years, Cork GWS Federation 

met in the Rochestown Park 

Hotel in February. The meeting 

was attended by schemes 

from the three Cork local 

authority regions and the 

respective rural water liaison 

officers (Mahmoud Shaladan 

(Cork South), Michael 

Russell (Cork West) and 

Martin Murphy (Cork North). 

The meeting was briefed on 

the implications of the 


(SI 278/‘07) and on the supports 

available to schemes 

through the NFGWS, 

WSNTG and Cork Co. Co. 

A motion in relation to capital 

grant aid was forwarded to 

the ADC. 

*** 

The upgrade of Ballyglass 

GWS prior to takeover is in 

the final stages of construction. 

It is hoped that the work 

will be completed in the coming 

months. 

*** 

As part of an upgrade prior to 

takeover, work on Ballykilty 

GWS is reported to be 70% 

complete. 

*** 

Tankardstown GWS treatment 

plant was installed in 

Febuary. The plant is currently 

being commissioned and 

should be fully operational in 

the coming weeks. 

*** 

Clonpriest GWS held an 

information meeting in 

January. The scheme is considering 

a major upgrade after 

its members opted to remain 

privately-sourced rather than 

be taken-in-charge. 

Limerick 

The official opening of the 

plants in the Limerick DBO 

bundle is set for 28 March. 

Minister Gormley will visit 

the Lough Gur Plant for the 

ceremony. 

*** 

Following from the cryptosporidium 

risk assessment 

carried out on the 18 group 

water schemes in the DBO 

bundle, six schemes were 

found to be in the ‘high risk’ 

category, a further six were 

deemed to be at ‘moderate 

risk’, while the remaining six 

were designated ‘low risk’. 

The contractor is being asked 

to submit a proposal on how 

they will treat the high to 

moderate risk schemes. 

These proposals will be discussed 

with the schemes 

when received by the Client’s 

Representative. 

*** 

A section of the attendance at the Cork Group Water Scheme Federation meeting held in February. 

The Liaison Monitoring 

Committee met on 14 March. 

Niall McCaffery of T. J. 

O’Connor & Associates gave 

an update on progress. Sean 

Jefferies of EPS had laptops 

for schemes in the bundle. 

These will allow each GWS 

to log onto a webpage to 

view the operation of their 

plant. The schemes raised the 

possibility of including 

Monthly Status Reports on 

the webpage. 

Hand held Chlorine monitors 

were also given to the GWS 

representatives present. 

Susan McGrath and Sean 

Jefferies of EPS demonstrated 

the use of these devices. 

Those schemes unable to 

attend the LMC were to 

receive their computers and 

chlorine monitors over the 

following fortnight. 

*** 

In line with NFGWS policy, 

DBO bundle schemes are 

advised to write to T. J. 

O’Connor & Associates 

appointing them as the 

Client’s Reps for the O&M 

phase of their contracts. 

Schemes were also reminded 

to have a separate O&M bank 

account opened and a Direct 

Debit System set up with the 

contractor. This will reduce 

the paper work involved and 

will speed up the transfer of 

subsidy from the Co. Council 

to the GWS. 

*** 

Schemes are being encouraged 

to monitor water usage. 

At present several schemes in 

the bundle are close to the 

design demand of their plants 

and, therefore, have very little 

room for growth. 

This excess usage also has an 

effect on the cost of the water 

to the scheme and may even 

exceed their entitlement 

under subsidy. 

As a minimum, annual or biannual 

meter reading should 

be implemented, as should 

efficient and equitable charging 

policies and mechanisms. 

*** 

Three motions were forwarded 

to the ADC from Limerick 

GWS Federation in February. 

The motions relate to the use 

of tractors and dump trailers 

on GWS upgrades, road 

restoration costs and subsidy 

and capital grants. 

Tipperary 

The GWS Federation met in 

February and discussed the 

impact of the Drinking Water 

Regulations (SI 278/‘07). 

Many GWS expressed an 

interest in further operational 

and management training and 

this will be provided in the 

coming months. 

While water quality is generally 

good in the county, much 

of the pipework is old and 

many schemes are looking 

towards the replacement of 

critical mains. 

The meeting put forward a 

motion to the ADC in relation 

to GWS insurance. 

*** 

Lacka GWS held its AGM in 

March. The scheme is considering 

forming a co-operative, 

as well as looking at further 

upgrading. A new borehole 

was drilled a number of 

years ago and chlorination 

was installed. Water quality 

is consistently meeting the 

regulations. 

28


Ulster 

Region 

by Jean Gibson & 

Brian MacDonald 

Cavan 

Members of Bunnoe Group 

Water Scheme committee 

completed training in the 

Quality Assurance system on 

Wednesday, 21 February. 

The recent EPA report on 

drinking water quality 

showed that Bunnoe GWS 

has amongst the best water 

supplies in the county and the 

committee is determined that 

this record of excellence be 

maintained. 

*** 

The recent Annual General 

Meeting of Cavan GWS 

Federation marked the retirement 

of Paddy Gill as secretary. 

Paying tribute to Mr 

Gill on behalf of the group 

scheme sector in the county, 

Federation chairperson, Mick 

Mulvey, said that he had 

‘given sterling service’ to the 

rural water sector, not least in 

his role as a member of the 

County Rural Water 

Monitoring Committee. 

Mairéad Sheirdan succeeded 

Mr Gill as Secretary. 

*** 

The contract for Phase 6 of 

the Annagh GWS upgrade is 

almost completed with only 

snagging remaining. This 

contract included extension 

of the scheme to the 

Threehoo Cross area bordering 

the Bunnoe scheme. 

*** 

The extension of the Dhuish 

GWs supply into the village 

of Shercock is now underway. 

This is designed to supplement 

the Shercock public supply 

when needed. 

*** 

Reservoir construction has 

commenced on Poles GWS. 

*** 

Tender are due in April for the 

Drumkeery GWS extension 

contract. 

*** 

Clifferna GWS has appointed 

Paul Ronan as manager. We 

wish Paul every success. 

*** 

A new borehole has been 

drilled at Milltown GWS to 

help resolve the on-going 

problem with high sulphates 

level in their current source. 

Tests are currently being carried 

out on this new borehole 

and results were expected by 

the end of March. 

*** 

A Dissolved Air Floatation 

(DAF) system is being 

installed at the Erne Valley 

plant to deal with the algae 

29 

problem in their lake. The 

ground work has been done 

and the system should be 

operational by the end of 

April. 

*** 

The drive to provide a treated 

drinking water supply to 

every home in rural Cavan 

took another step forward in 

early February with the signing 

of a €433,000 contract 

into the Derrinvoney district 

on the Cavan/Fermanagh border 

at Belturbet. 

Conwell Contracts Ltd, will 

lay almost 13 kms of watermain, 

linking the Belturbet 

public supply to some 60 

households and to farms in the 

peninsula which stretches 

along the Erne, as far as the 

Bloody Pass. 

The project has been spearheaded 

by a local group water 

scheme which has been active 

for nearly three years. 

Welcoming the contract signing, 

scheme chairperson Liam 

D'Arcy expressed satisfaction 

that construction work would 

begin within a matter of 

weeks, as soon as the seasonal 

floods abated. 

*** 

A meeting of the East Cavan 

DBO Steering Group was 

held on 14 March. 

Top: Representatives of Derrinvoney GWS, Conwell Contracts Ltd., Bluehills Consulting Engineers) and Alan Treanor Ltd.were 

present for the signing of a contract that will deliver a piped water supply to an unservced area on the Cavan/Fermanagh border. 

Bottom: Cavan Federation Board members and representatives of the NFGWS with Paddy Gill assnd his wife, Alice, at a presentation 

to mark Mr Gill’s retirement as Federation Secretary after 10 years service.


Donegal 

Ireland’s most northerly group 

water scheme, Bunn GWS in 

Donegal’s Malin peninsula 

recently became the first non- 

DBO scheme to complete 

training in the NFGWS 

Quality Assurance system. 

For several years the 90- 

house scheme has been 

implementing its own programme 

of quality assurance 

as part of a water service that 

meets a very high standard. 

*** 

Meenabool GWS in the 

Gaeltacht area of west 

Donegal is currently reorganising 

as a co-operative, 

Comharcumann Uisce An 

Eargail Teo to reflect the 

expansion of the scheme 

throughout the Dún Lúiche 

area as part of a major proposed 

upgrade. 

Monaghan 

Following its recent successful 

AGM and a further meeting 

of the Federation sub 

committee, schemes in the 

County Monaghan GWS 

Federation have been distributing 

a 4-page newsletter to 

their members. 

This emphasises positive 

developments in the county’s 

rural water sector, in particular 

the recent satisfactory 

water quality results, as published 

by the EPA. 

As most schemes in 

Monaghan have now completed 

training in the Quality 

Assurance system, this was 

also highlighted, as were the 

continuing activities of companies 

selling unnecessary 

undersink treatment systems. 

The recent announcement re 

water charges in schools has 

prompted Monaghan 

Federation to agree a strategy 

that will see schemes working 

with local schools to build 

water conservation awareness. 

*** 

Water awareness was 

addressed in the annual 

Monaghan St Patrick’s Day 

Top: Bunn GWS committee completed the QA system training on 1 March, the first non-DBO scheme to do so. 

Bottom: Having recently completed the NFGWS Management Training Course and training in the Quality Assurance system, the 

committee of Drumgole GWS took another major step forward on 18 March with the signing of contracts for a major network 

upgrade and extension. Pictured at the signing were Front l-r: Martin Colwell (Contract Manager (Clarkes Contracts), Bertie 

Williamson (Chairperson, Drumgole GWS), Chris Pringle (Pringle & Associates, Consultant Engineers). Standing l-r: Henry Hall 

(Project Manager, Drumgole GWS) and Henry Kerr (Pringle & Associates). 

parade, as the four schools 

from the Tydavnet GWS area 

provided an artistic focus on 

the importance of water. 

The schools’ participation 

was funded by Tydavnet 

GWS as part of a joint initiative 

with the local St 

Patrick’s Day parade committee. 

An artist worked with 

the school children over a 

two-month period. 

*** 

The meter replacement contract 

on Corduff/Corracharra 

GWS is almost complete. 

*** 

Valve replacement on Truagh 

GWS is 85% complete. 

*** 

Contracts for a major upgrade 

and extension to the 

Drumgole GWS distribution 

network were signed on 18 

March. 

CONWELL CONTRACTS LTD 

Lismalore, Brookeborough, County Fermanagh 

BT94 4EU 

Tel.: 048-89531296 

Fax: 048-89531933 

E-mail: conwellcontracts@btconnect.com 

• Civil engineering 

• Directional drilling & utilities contractor 

• Water & sewerage distribution mains 

• Pumping stations & reservoirs 

• Specialists in trenchless technology 

30


STRUCTURES OF NATIONAL FEDERATION 

OF GROUP WATER SCHEMES 

The National Federation of Group Water Schemes was formally established as a Co-operative Society in 1998. 

OFFICERS 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

Brendan O’Mahony Chairperson John Heslin Roscommon FGWS 

Michael John Kilgannon Vice-Chairperson Jimmy Walsh Laois FGWS 

Tony Prendiville Secretary Tom Burke Clare FGWS 

Vincent Farrelly Joint Treasurer John O’Donnell Galway FGWS 

Paddy Ward Joint Treasurer Joe Harte Mayo FGWS 

Michael (Mac) Boyd Monaghan FGWS 

Mike Reddy 

Carlow/Wexford FGWS 

Gerald McCarthy Special Advisor 

NATIONAL CO-ORDINATOR/CEO 

Seán Clerkin National Co-ordinator Tel.: 047-72766 

24 Old Cross Square Fax: 047-72788 

Monaghan Mobile: 087-2808472 

E-mail: sean@nfgws.ie 

DEPUTY NATIONAL CO-ORDINATOR 

Colm Brady Deputy National Co-ordinator Tel.: 047-72766 

24 Old Cross Square Mobile: 087-2300214 


E-mail: colm@nfgws.ie 

STAFF 

MEMBERS 

Barry Deane NFGWS Development Officer Tel.: 057-9328068 

12 Henry Street Mobile: 087-6866099 

Tullamore, County Offaly 

E-mail: barry@nfgws.ie 

Joe Gallagher NFGWS Development Officer Tel./Fax: 057-9328068 

12 Henry Street Mobile: 087-2808471 

Tullamore, County Offaly 

E-mail: joe@nfgws.ie 

Catríona Greaney 

Paul Connolly 

Karen Mulkeen 

NFGWS DBO Validation Officer 

Unit 29, N17 Business Park Tel./Fax: 093-28712 

Galway Rd, Mobile: 087-2357157 

Tuam, County Galway 

E-mail: catriona@nfgws.ie 

NFGWS Development Officer 

Enterprise Centre Tel./Fax: 094-9381802 

Aiden Street Mobile: 087-7478399 

Kiltimagh, County Mayo 

E-mail: paul@nfgws.ie 

NFGWS Health & Safety Officer 

Unit 29, N17 Business Park Tel./Fax: 093-28712 

Galway Rd., Mobile: 087-2934297 

Tuam, County Galway 

E-mail: karen@nfgws.ie 

Brian MacDonald NFGWS Research & Evaluation Officer Tel.: 042-9742228 

Boyher, Rockcorry Mobile: 087-2028051 

County Monaghan 

E-mail: brian@nfgws.ie 

Jean Gibson NFGWS DBO Quality Assurance Officer Tel.: 047-72766 

24 Old Cross Square Mobile: 087-2509225 


E-mail: jean@nfgws.ie 

Julie Brannigan NFGWS Clerical Officer Tel.: 047-72766 

24 Old Cross Square Fax: 047-72788 


E-mail: julie@nfgws.ie 

31


Consulting on the plan 

River Basin District meetings re the Water Framework Directive 

The first stage of implementing 

the Water 

Framework Directive has 

been about finding out the 

facts — in detail. That has 

meant setting out: 

• all the waters in each district. 

This includes both 

surface waters — rivers, 

lakes, canals, reservoirs, 

estuaries and coastal waters 

— and groundwaters and 

the lands that drain into 

them; 

• all human uses of those 

waters and human activities 

that affect them. That 

covers everything from the 

provision of drinking 

water, through industrial 

and agricultural discharges 

to the construction of quay 

walls and harbours; 

• all non-human uses: not 

just those animals and 

plants that live in the 

waters, but also those on 

the fringes. Some important 

and vulnerable species 

and habitats need particular 

attention; 

• all existing controls on 

human uses of water – this 

includes everything from 

EU Directives, through 

national legislation and 

industry codes of practice, 

to conditions on planning 

permissions; 

• all threats to the quality of 

the waters, ranked in order 

of importance. 

This work started several 

years ago and last summer, a 

summary of the significant 

water management issues that 

put our waters at risk of not 

meeting the requirements of 

the WFD was published in a 

booklet titled ‘Water 

Matters’. This was distributed 

in all river basin districts. 

In the second instalment of his article on preparations 

for the Water Framework Directive, Enda 

Thompson, Co-ordinator of the Shannon 

International River Basin District evaluates the 

consultation process upon which river basin district 

plans are currently being formulated. 

Having your say 

Last autumn, we came to the 

end of a six month formal 

consultation period on the 

‘Water Matters’ booklet, 

where the public were invited 

to comment on the issues 

identified in their RBD. 

A series of evening public 

events were held throughout 

the country, organised at 

River Basin District (RBD) 

level as part of the process of 

getting the public involved. 

The events were generally 

kept informal, with a number 

of tables staffed by members 

of the project team and local 

authorities. 

Shannon 

The Shannon IRBD is the 

largest river basin district in 

all of Ireland, stretching from 

the source of the Shannon 

river in the Cuilcagh mountains 

to the tip of the Dingle 

peninsula in north Kerry. 

This is an international 

river basin district (IRBD) by 

virtue of the fact that a small 

portion of the catchment is in 

County Fermanagh. 

Across the IRBD, seven 

consultation events were held 

in October last, at Carrick-on- 

Shannon (Leitrim), Mountnugent 

(Cavan), Athlone 

(Westmeath), Nenagh 

(Tipperary), Ennis (Clare), 

Limerick city and Tralee 

(Kerry). 

Attendance varied widely, 

ranging from just 10 people 

at the Tralee meeting to 

almost 60 in Athlone, with a 

total of about 150 for all 

events in the Shannon IRBD. 

Although attendance was 

small, the exercise proved 

valuable, as there was some 

really good input into the 

process. Even where there 

was cynicism with regard to 

the proposed role of the regulatory 

authorities, there was 

general acceptance of the 

logic of the process. 

The need to ‘think outside 

the box’ and to consider alternative 

technologies, while at 

the same time applying environmental 

economics to the 

situation (such as incentives 

for use of sustainable, ecofriendly 

products and increasing 

taxes on non eco-friendly 

products), was expressed. 

Draft plans 

Following on from the consultation 

process, draft management 

plans are currently 

being drawn up for each 

RBD. Comments received as 

part of last autumn’s consultation 

process will feed into 

the draft plans, and a further 

process of consultation will 

follow their publication. 

Real value of water 

One clear message emerged 

from the consultation 

process: huge financial and 

resource issues are involved 

in bringing our waters up to 

standard, whether that be in a 

local river or the kitchen tap. 

By its very nature then, this 

process will increase public 

understanding in relation to 

the ‘real value’ of water. 

The Shannon IRBD is Ireland’s largest river basin district. 

32

Inaction ‘not an option’

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