Dublin City Council today met with the Shannon International River Basin District Advisory Council (ShIRBD) to brief them on the need for new water sources to meet the demand of the increased population that will live in the Dublin region, including parts of counties Meath, Kildare and Wicklow, after 2016.
Dublin City Council and its consultants, RPS-Veolia, briefed the meeting that a new water source for the Dublin Region has to be viable and sustainable. They said that a new source cannot be to the detriment of any other area, including the River Shannon and its catchment or any other of the 10 options being studied, and that they are confident that such a solution will be found.
Tom Leahy, Executive Manager, Dublin City Council advised the meeting that the existing water source for Dublin can meet current and increased demand up to 2016, but that after 2016 the population increases will give rise to a need for a new source.
“While we are currently meeting demand, projected increases in Dublin’s population will mean that from 2016 current available water resources for the Dublin Area will be used up and so Dublin City Council is planning ahead to secure a new source in order to maintain water supplies into the future. We are carrying out extensive studies and we are holding public consultations to determine the best water source for all concerned,” said Tom Leahy, Executive Manager, Dublin City Council.
Tom Leahy briefed the group that ten (10) water supply options are currently being studied by the Council’s consultants in order to assess their potential for providing water supplies to the Dublin Region from approximately 2016 onwards. The options being considered include taking water from Lough Ree or a combination of Lough Ree and Lough Derg, storing excess water in winter from Lough Ree and / or Lough Derg for use during dry spells, as well as taking water from Parteen Basin on the River Shannon. Building a desalination plant, using groundwater and taking water from a combination of the Liffey and Barrow rivers are also being considered.
“We have carried out extensive consultation for this project over the last three years and greatly appreciate the positive contributions that have been made by numerous stakeholders,” said Tom Leahy. “Everybody we talk to agrees that a reliable supply of water for the Dublin Region, which houses 40% of Irelands population as well as nationally important industries and businesses, is crucial to Ireland’s economy as well as for the health and safety of the people living here. Dublin City Council is planning ahead now through this study to ensure that we do have a secure future water supply.”
As part of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), public consultation is underway since November 2008. People and organizations can still submit their views, online or in writing, before Friday 27th February 2009. Following feedback from the public, the ten options will be ranked and more detailed studies carried out on the most viable options. After a preferred source is identified, likely at the end of 2009, the recommendations can be fully considered by everyone and an informed debate can take place on the recommended option, which will be informed by this phase of public consultation, before any decisions on the way forward are made.
“Dublin City Council is delighted to welcome the ShIRBD Advisory Council to Dublin and to have the opportunity to give their members a full technical briefing at this stage. We are grateful to all of the input they have made throughout the project, and for the opportunities they have given us to keep them updated on a regular basis,” said Tom Leahy.
For further information and details of the ten options being considered, visit : www.watersupplyproject-dublinregion.ie
ENDS.
For further information: Mary Murphy: 087-233 6415 / Neasa Kane: 087-232 0038 / 01-709 8001 (RPS Mary Murphy Associates)