€3.26m to improve Clare rural water supplies

OVER €3 million has been allocated to Clare County Council under the 2010 Rural Water Programme to complement the work already undertaken to further improve the quality of drinking water in communities across the county.

Defence Minister Tony Killeen stated that the grant aid, totalling €3.26m would fund a wide range of schemes all over Clare that have been earmarked for improvement works under the council’s work programme for 2010.
“The primary aim of these allocations is to progress the Rural Water Programme as quickly as possible with a view to providing quality drinking water supplies to all rural consumers and communities,” explained Minister Killeen.
“While this year’s allocation represents a €400,000 decrease on the 2009 allocation, it should be noted that it has been secured against a continuing difficult economic background and will help ensure that any remaining schemes on the EPA Action Plan to upgrade group water schemes with substandard sources reach completion this year. 
“The funds will also enable the council to upgrade small public water and sewerage schemes to help ensure good quality drinking water and to prevent environmental pollution,” he said.
The single biggest allocation of €1.6m is for design, build and operate projects around Clare. Elsewhere, €500,000 is being provided for small public water and sewerage schemes, €400,000 for the takeover of group water schemes (GWS) by Clare local authorities, €400,000 for GWS network upgrading works, €300,000 for new GWS and €60,000 for interim works on GWS.
Minister Killeen stated that the top priority in 2010 must remain on addressing water quality problems in the county’s privately sourced group water supplies.
“Clare’s allocation will ensure that the county will remain to the fore in the national drive to eliminate sub-standard rural water supplies. I especially wish to compliment Clare County Council in this regard as it has developed a very substantial programme of works that will lead to improved water supplies for people throughout the county. I also wish to pay tribute to GWS personnel across Clare, who have undertaken many years of valuable work in dealing with substandard water supplies,” he said.