Threat of Further Water Contamination
Earlier posts considered the most recent EPA report on water quality in Ireland and the implications of the EU’s soon to be implemented 2000 Water Framework Directive.
For a further perspective, check out Frank McDonald’s Irish Times article (Monday, 7 November 2011), entitled “Further Water Contamination Inevitable if Strict Policy Not Adopted to Protect Resources”.
McDonald highlights the threat posed to water supplies by the Celtic Tiger sprawl, and specifically the uneven standards of sewerage systems and schemes installed in developments.
He also states that Ireland faces a threat of ongoing, daily EU fines, if it fails to meet the standards set out in the EU Water Framework Directive, 2000.
Irish Times “Down the Drain” Series
This weekend saw the first of a series of articles on the Irish water supply and the challenges facing it, in the Irish Times, called: Down the Drain: What’s going wrong with Ireland’s water supply?
Including an interview with Environment minister, Phil Hogan, it highlights several key issues going forward:
- a water authority to be set up
- household water metering programme beginning 2014
- perhaps first 40–60 litres per day free
- household water charges of up to €400 per annum (based on UK charges)
- 40% of all water produced is lost to leaks, etc.
- €600m per year needed to meet EU Water Framework Directive, even before tackling issues of leaks
- water will remain a public utility but will require private investment
- minister sees focus on water conservation as water the most urgent infrastructure/resource issue facing Ireland and globe
- by 2050, many nations will not have sufficient water supply to support industry
- industry will migrate to countries which can offer adequate water supply — an economic challenge and opportunity for Ireland
- article discusses controversial plan to pump water from Shannon to supply Dublin region
Read more: Down the Drain: What’s going wrong with Ireland’s water supply?