20 years to halve number of water leaks

Leakage from our water networks is so bad that Irish Water predicts that it will take up to 20 years to cut the number of leaks in half.

Jerry Grant, Irish Water’s head of assets, told the Irish Examiner that an initial €150m investment would probably only result in a 5%-6% reduction in leak rates over the next three years. Leakage from the water networks averages over 41% across the country, twice the UK level.

Irish Water is preparing a strategy which will include the Government’s proposal for a “first fix” offer to customers, whereby leaks reported after the installation of a meter will be repaired, subject to conditions.

Mr Grant said reducing leaks “will be a long, hard slog”, but that a 5% reduction would deliver a significant benefit to the water system.

The task facing Irish Water became clearer yesterday with the publication of its Capital Investment Programme 2014-16, which shows a €520m funding shortfall. The company estimates it needs €1.77bn to deliver on its three-year objectives, but current funding is at €1.2bn.

Last night, a spokeswoman for Irish Water said it would look to the capital markets to raise the balance. “The parent company [Bord Gáis] that we’re set up under have a very good track record in terms of attracting investment,” she said.

Irish Water also faces a major headache on foot of the continued discharge of untreated waste water into the sea. The plan outlines how Ireland is currently on formal notice of an EU infringement case to be taken, which requires improvements at 66 schemes. Irish Water estimates it could cost up to €7bn to tackle such issues and meet EU requirements.

The company said it plans to invest in new waste water treatment plants at seven locations around the coast: Clifden, Killybegs, Bundoran, Youghal — where work is expected to start within weeks — and in Cork’s lower harbour area to deal with waste water from Cobh, Passage West, and Carrigaline.

However, there is no funding commitment for a new water treatment plant for Cork City — upgrades are planned instead.

Irish Water faces further challenges regarding a lack of knowledge about its asset base, which it blames on the fragmented nature of the water services it inherited from 34 local authorities.

The company will begin a rollout of asset management processes this year “to build a reliable asset database on which to base investment decisions” going forward.

It will also prioritise improving water quality considered vulnerable to microbiological contamination, including four schemes in Roscommon.

On water allowances, while every home will be entitled to a ‘free’ 30,000-litre allowance per annum, Irish Water last night confirmed that the Commissioner for Energy Regulation is considering whether householders will lose their allowance if they fail to pay bills in a timely manner. “It will be determined fairly shortly,” the spokeswoman said.

Environment Minister Phil Hogan has already said those who fail to pay will have their water pressure turned down to “a trickle”.