New water supply needed for the midlands

Irish Water is to begin an eight week consultation process following the publication of its 'Need Report' for the Eastern and Midlands Region.

The 'Need Report' for the proposed Eastern and Midlands Region Water Supply Project (WSP) identifies the need for a new water supply source for the regions. The report can be viewed online, at county libraries and planning offices. 

According to the report, projected demand for water in Dublin alone is expected to increase by over 50% by 2050. This is well beyond the capacity of the existing sources which serve the region.

The report draws on extensive independent expert research and recommendations in relation to population projections and economic forecasting (2015-2050) and it concludes that a new water supply source is needed for Irish Water’s Eastern and Midlands Region. 

The findings are based around a number of key issues including, the failure to invest in water infrastructure for over half a century, the high risk of increasing supply disruptions and the economic impact of water outages. The report found water outages in Dublin between 2010 and 2014 cost the Irish economy over €78 million a day.

The report also acknowledges the fact that conservation measures and leak repairs will not adequately address the future projected shortfall.
Irish Water’s ‘Project Need Report’ is supported and informed by three independent specialist studies; a Demographic Report, an Economist Report and a Water Demand Review.

These studies provide population projections, sourced from Central Statistics Office, on different scenarios related to forecast economic growth, fertility and migration. They examine each component of water demand, including per capita consumption, domestic demand, non-domestic demand, operational use and both the household-side and network-side leakage.

Non-domestic demand, which is water used in business and industry, is analysed and growth is projected by sector. Trends on reducing per capita consumption and reducing intensity of industrial water use are incorporated in projections.

The report concludes that, even after fully using the available water supply from the existing sources, and even with a parallel drive on water conservation and leakage control, there will still be significant additional water required.   

It is expected that 215 million litres per day in excess of existing capacity will be needed by 2050 for the Dublin Region alone. This figure rises to 330 million litres per day when the surrounding region is included. Improvements to and maintenance of the existing water supply system, will not meet that level of need and a new source must be developed and utilised.

Following today’s publication of the Project Need Report, Irish Water is undertaking an eight week consultation process. It will begin on Tuesday, March 10 and conclude on May 05.