Into the future

Rural Water News Autumn 2006
Leinster Region
by Barry Deane &
Joe Gallagher
Since contract signing in
May of this year with EPS
Ltd., the contractor has been
busy preparing their designs
for each of the schemes. The
majority of these designs
have now been sent to the
employer’s representative, T.
J. O’Connor & Associates for
their approval. EPS have
also now submitted their construction
programme for
phase one of the project. It is
hoped that construction will
be commencing on some of
the schemes in October. At
this stage all ESB applications
have also been made and
are currently being processed.
***
Most of the Advance Works
have been completed at this
stage, with one or two contracts
to be finished in the
coming weeks. At this stage
most schemes are looking at
ways to reduce their unaccounted
for water. The majority
of schemes are progressing
with universal metering,
analysing their distribution
systems and identifying problem
areas.
scheme is currently surveying
the entire network for
service connections. Meetings
were held with all schemes in
the bundle during August to
progress universal metering.
Borrmount GWS is also currently
considering a network
upgrade.
Kildare
Gormanstown GWS is currently
upgrading sections of
their scheme including
replacing old copper fittings.
The scheme is hoping that
this, along with universal
metering, will help to reduce
unaccounted for water. The
scheme met Kildare County
Council and the NFGWS in
August to look at ways of
combating UFW.
Kilkenny
Upgrades are currently complete
on Ballycallan,
Baunmore, Coolagh
Caherlesk, Kiloshulan,
Newtown/Ovenstown and
Parks Rathclevin. There are a
number of proposals for further
upgrades to Coolagh
Caherlesk and Highrath
GWS and it is hoped these
will commence in the coming
weeks. Any GWS with
upgrading proposals for the
remainder of 2006 or 2007
should contact Kilkenny
County Council as they will
soon be preparing their submission
for next year’s
allocation.
Laois
Ballacolla GWS has begun a
major upgrade on its network.
Phase one of the
upgrade is now well underway.
The group is also
installing universal metering
and bulk meters to try and
reduce UFW.
Offaly
Upgrading works have started
on Rath GWS and Killeigh
GWS. These works consist of
the laying of new mains and
extension to the schemes and
should be completed by the
end of November.
***
Reservoirs are almost complete
on Ballinagar GWS and
Bracknagh GWS. These will
supply the growing schemes
with the additional storage
that they require.
***
All GWS are encouraged to
send details into Offaly Co.
Co. of works that they wish
to complete in the coming
year. These should be submitted
before 10 November.
Schemes are asked to send in
design drawings, bill of
quantities and costs so that
they can be included in next
years RWP allocations.
Wicklow
Works on the Baltyboys
GWS pipeline is substantially
complete, with only snagging
and minor works left to be
taken care of.
Carlow & Wexford
Carlow Rural Water
Monitoring Committee met
during September. While the
number of GWS in the county
has reduced there are still a
number of very active
schemes. Although most of
the water quality issues in the
county will be dealt with
once the DBO contract is
complete, there are still a few
small schemes outside of this
process that need attention. It
was proposed that these items
should be discussed at the
next meeting of the County
Federation.
***
In Wexford, work is almost
complete on the Blackstairs
advance works contract. The
The newly constructed 250,000 gallon reservoir at Ballinagar GWS. This was built to cater for the increasing
demand on the scheme and will give the extra storage needed for further development.
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