The Dublin Region (Water Supply Area) will require a new source of water supply within the next ten years in order to meet projected growth in water demand due to forecast population increases and economic growth. This new source is required in conjunction with maximising supplies from existing sources and optimising water savings through leakage management and conservation activities.
Ten water supply options were assessed for their potential to meet the future water supply needs in a sustainable manner. The assessment of options was undertaken within the legislative framework of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Directive. The SEA process commenced in 2006 and has involved two phases of formal public consultation (SEA Ph 1 and SEA Ph 2) in relation to the water supply proposals.
Formal public consultation under SEA Phase 1, initially in respect of three water supply options, was undertaken from June to October 2006. Feedback from SEA Phase 1 public consultation resulted in an increase in the number of options being considered from 3No to 10 No. Formal public consultation under SEA Phase 2, in respect of the ten water supply options which were contained in the 2008 draft Plan, commenced on 24 November 2008 and concluded on 27 February 2009.
Feedback from the SEA Phase 2 public consultation process, technical, environmental and economic analyses (sustainability assessments) resulted in the recommendation of a preferred water supply option for the Dublin & Mid East Regions (Option F2 – Lough Derg + External Storage).
In October 2010 Dublin City Council adopted The Plan (amended 2008 draft Plan) containing the recommended option.
The recommended option involves the abstraction of raw water from Lough Derg (River Shannon) and pumping the abstracted water through a new pipeline to a proposed storage reservoir covering approximately 1,400 acres (567 hectares) at the Garryhinch cut-away bog (near Portarlington, Co. Laois), forming part of a proposed midlands water based eco-park. The water will be treated to drinking water standards at this location and the treated water transported in a series of pipelines to the Dublin Region Water Supply Area with provision for local supplies.
Further stakeholder briefings took place over the July 2010 – January 2011 period to inform stakeholders of the recommended / preferred option and to clarify issues raised during the SEA Phase 2 public consultation process
Water Supply Project-Dublin Region
Plan and Strategic Environmental Assessment (Phase ll) Statement
In accordance with the Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012 published by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, Dublin City Council has prepared a Plan for the Water Supply Project – Dublin Region.
The Plan is to develop a new water source for the Greater Dublin Region as part of the Water Services Investment Programme (2010-2012) to supplement existing water supply sources and to meet water supply requirements up to 2040 and beyond.
The Plan involves the abstraction of raw water from Lough Derg (River Shannon) and pumping the abstracted water through a new pipeline to a proposed storage reservoir covering approximately 1,400 acres (567 hectares) at the Garryhinch cut-away bog (near Portarlington, Co. Laois), forming part of a proposed midlands water based eco-park. The water will be treated to drinking water standards at this location and the treated water transported in a series of pipelines to the Dublin Region Water Supply Area with provision for local supplies.
In accordance with Sections 16(1) and 16(2) of SI No. 435 of 2004, European Communities (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes) Regulations 2004, Dublin City Council, acting as the Competent Authority under these Regulations, hereby gives public notice that it has, by a decision of the City Council on 4th October 2010, adopted this Plan.
An Environmental Statement (prepared in accordance with the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Regulations, 2004) is also available at the same locations, which summarises:
- How Environmental Considerations have been integrated into the plan,
- How the Environmental Report, submissions and observations made to the Competent Authority and any consultations have been taken into account during the preparation of the Plan
- The reasons for choosing the Plan, in light of the other reasonable alternatives examined
- The measures decided upon to monitor the significant environmental effects of implementation of The Plan or modification to The Plan
Environmental (SEA) Statement.pdf
The Plan and Environmental Statement will be available for public information from 1st September 2011 to 1st November 2011 at the Planning Counter of the following venues during Planning Counter opening hours:
- Dublin City Council, Civic Offices, Wood Quay, Dublin 8
- Fingal County Council, County Hall, Main Street, Swords, Co. Dublin
- South Dublin County Council, County Hall, Tallaght, Dublin 24
- Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, County Hall, Marine Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin
- Kildare County Council, Aras Chill Dara, Devoy Park, Naas, County Kildare
- Meath County Council, Abbey Mall, Abbey Road, Navan, Co. Meath
- Wicklow County Council, County Buildings, Station Road, Wicklow
- Laois County Council, Aras an Chontae, Portlaoise, Co. Laois
- North Tipperary County Council, Civic Offices, Limerick Road, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary
- Westmeath County Council, County Buildings, Mount Street, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath
- Clare County Council, Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare
- Galway County Council, Áras an Chontae, Prospect Hill, Galway
- Limerick County Council, County Hall, Dooradoyle, Co. Limerick
- Roscommon County Council, Planning Department, Golf Links Road, Roscommon.