Mayo people reminded to send feedback on water resources plan
UISCE Éireann’s public consultation on the draft Regional Water Resources Plan - North West (RWRP-NW) is closing on February 21.
The plan sets out options for providing a more secure, reliable and sustainable water supply for approximately 732,700 customers in the northwest region over the next 25 years.
A three-month public consultation on the plan began in November 2022 and will close on Tuesday next, February 21.
Uisce Éireann’s National Water Resources Plan will be the first resources plan for the entire public water supply in Ireland. The national plan will identify the needs across our existing supplies and the challenges and opportunities that we face over the coming years including legislation, climate change, the environment, growth and economic development.
The draft RWRP-NW describes the northwest region and the current challenges faced now and into the future in terms of delivering a safe, secure and resilient water supply. It identifies progress made to date - for instance, leakage reductions, capital investment works, and works in progress.
There are 142 water treatment plants in the region, which collectively serve 732,700 people, or 18% of the population of Ireland, via approximately 17,732 kilometres of distribution network and 119 water resource zones. These treatment plants also serve 74,000 businesses.
The region itself covers approximately 26,912 square kilometres, encompassing counties Cavan, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Monaghan, Sligo and parts of Clare, Longford, Louth, Meath and Roscommon. Eight islands off the coast are also included in the region.
Speaking ahead of the end of the public consultation period, Mairéad Conlon, water resources strategy lead for Uisce Éireann, said: “We would like to thank those who have engaged with us on the plan so far. We received valuable feedback throughout the consultation from individuals, groups and organisations.
“We would like to remind those who are interested in sending their submissions in response to the public consultation to do so before Tuesday, February 21.
“The development of a draft plan on how Uisce Éireann will supply water across the northwest region is an important step. The draft regional plan will offer key benefits in terms of transformation of our supplies, including the ability to cater for growth and economic development in a sustainable way, improved interconnectivity between our supplies to ensure balanced regional development, and new sustainable water sources that are adaptable to climate change.”
Submissions can be made by post or email by February 21.
Email: nwrp@water.ie.
Post: National Water Resources Plan, Uisce Éireann, PO Box 13216, Glenageary, Co. Dublin .
All submissions will be taken into consideration and responses to the issues raised will be summarised in a consultation report, which will be published on www.water.ie/nwrp.