Birr watermains tender approved

Environment Minister Phil Hogan has today (Monday) approved funding to allow Offaly County Council to accept an tender of just over €1.89m for watermains rehabilitation work in Birr.

The works in Birr are one element of a coordinated approach to arrest water leakage in the county that's being carried out in stages. When complete it will mean an improvement in the quality and reliability of the public water supply.

Mains rehabilitation work is a key priority under the department's water services investment programme 2010-2013. Minister Hogan said today his approval of the funding for works in Birr reflects the need to deliver to consumers a drinking water supply that is reliable and fully compliant with drinking water standards, and the priority being given to water conservation and addressing unsustainable levels of unaccounted for water in the distribution system.

Today's approval clears the way for Offaly County Council to complete contract formalities and get a contractor on site.