Into the future

Rural Water News Autumn 2006
In his keynote address, delivered
at Ballinafad Field
Study Centre before a packed
audience of local people,
elected representatives and
rural water activists, the
Minister praised the spirit of
partnership that was key to
the Sligo project’s success.
It showed, he said, ‘what can
be achieved through genuine
co-operation’ and, in this
regard, was ‘a beacon for others
to follow’.
In relation to the overall
project, he added that Sligo
provides ‘a shining example
of good design, cost effective
construction and care and
concern for sensitive and
attractive landscapes’.
First
Referring to the fact that this
was the first project to use the
concept of ‘post-tender planning’,
the Minister argued
that ‘the traditional, prescriptive
approach ... straightjacketed
contractors and
allowed no flexibility to
introduce innovative ideas and
methodologies’. He added:
‘The Sligo DBO project represents
a 'win-win' in terms
of good planning and costeffective
design and construction.’
The plants, completed on
schedule by DBO contractor
Treatment Systems Services
Ltd. (TSSL), at a capital cost
of a5.5 million, are to provide
a guaranteed quality drinking
water supply to upwards of
2,000 households.
There was further praise for
the contractor from Brendan
O’Mahony. The NFGWS
Chairperson, said that TSSL
deserved recognition ‘for the
sterling efforts you have been
making to fully inform group
schemes of developments,
for attending annual general
meetings and all of the other
personal contacts that will
ensure a smooth working
relationship for the next 20
years … at least!’
O’Mahony
Expressing his pleasure at
being in Sligo on the day
when the county had
‘answered its critics’, Mr
O’Mahony said:
‘It was only a short number
of years ago when national
media headlines were pointing
the finger at County
Sligo, branding it the worst
county in Ireland in terms of
drinking water quality. It
wasn’t true, of course, but
what really annoyed us in the
rural water sector was that we
knew even at that stage that
Sligo was one of our ‘good
news stories’ and if, in fairness,
they had consulted the
local media they would have
known that.
‘Here was a county that had
an agreed plan to bring quality-assured
water to every
home. Here was a county that
was implementing that plan
through a vibrant partnership
between the local authority
and the group scheme sector structure that is second to
that was structured through none supplying top quality
the Rural Water Monitoring drinking water. Of course, a
Committee and the DBO quality drinking water supply
Steering Group. Here was a demands a quality service to
county that even then was in consumers and I have every
the process of putting the confidence in the ability of
necessary infrastructure into Sligo’s group water schemes
place. Here was a county that to deliver such a service.
was doing exactly what it Better still, I can assure each
should have been doing in and every group scheme
addressing the long-standing committee that we, as a
problem of deficient drinking Federation, will be with you
water quality to rural communities.
Did the national the Operate & Maintenance
every step of the way during
media want to report on that contracts and as problems
story? I think you all know arise (as they will from time
the answer to that one. to time), we will be there to
‘You now have in this help resolve them.’
county a rural water infra-
Continued on page 18
Facing page: Environment Minister, Dick Roche, TD, and NFGWS
Chairperson, Brendan O’Mahony, with committee members of
Castlebaldwin Group Water Scheme.
Left: Minister Roche tastes the water being produced for Benbulben Group
Water Scheme by DBO contractor, Treatment Systems Services Ltd.
Pictured with the Minister is Séamus Crickley of TSSL
Top right: The Minister with the chairperson of Drum East GWS, Cllr
Veronica Cawley.
Bottom right: Members of Corick GWS committee with Minister Roche.
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