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Measures will shortly beintroduced to deal with thepollution risk posed by on-site wastewater treatmentsystems (OSWTS), accord-ing to Ivan Grimes of theWater Policy Section at theDepartment of Environment,Heritage & LocalGovernment (DoEHLG).An unscheduled speaker atthis year’s Rural WaterConference in Claremorris,Mr Grimes was added to theprogramme to inform dele-gates that significant meas-ures will have to be intro-

duced in response to theEuropean Court of Justiceruling against Ireland on thisissue.

ResponseAs part of this response, hesaid that there have alreadybeen consultations with key

stakeholders (including theNFGWS) as well as ongoingdialogue with the EuropeanCommission. In addition, wewill see:• performance standards thatwill apply to all systems.

• establishment of a robustsystem for monitoring andassessment.

• preparation of legislation.Implications

Pointing to the implicationsfor rural householders, MrGrimes suggested that theywould be required to:

Continued on page 3

Autumn 22001100 Volume 1122 Issue 33

Thin soil to bedrock meant that this wastewater treatment system on Toraí (Tory Island) could not be convenient-ly buried, unlike the vast bulk of the 441,000 such systems recorded in the Republic of Ireland [the real figure maybe closer to 500,000]. As many of these systems are known to be contaminating our raw water sources, the recentRural Water Conference provided a stark reminder that this is an issue that can no longer be ignored.

Wastewater treatment systemsA role for GWS sector in tackling rural Ireland’s hidden pollutant?

RRUURRAALL WWAATTEERR NNEEWWSS

In this issue:Page

Comment ........................................3

Rural Water Conference:Delegates applaud varied and interesting programme....................4

Focus on the water source .......... 6

There’s more to do on QA...... ... 7

Saving money and spending it ......9

Maria Graham visits HQ of secondMayo DBO bundle ........................9

Insurance cover for group waterschemes ........................................10

On the water front ......................13

Groundwater pilot approved byNRWSC ........................................13

Responding to the downturn: schemes urged to consider a ‘flexible’ approach to payments ...14

Water demand management study at TCD .............................. 15

Changes & challenges ahead:keynote address by Minister ........16

What’s new in the water industry 18

Regional Reports:Connacht ......................................19Leinster ........................................23Munster ........................................27Ulster ............................................30

Magazine of the Group Water Scheme Sector

The message from the recent Rural Water Conferencecould hardly have been clearer: as many as half a millionwastewater treatment systems in the countryside and onthe fringes of our towns and villages pose a potential threatto rivers, lakes and groundwater supplies. In October 2009, the European Court of Justice demandeddecisive action in relation to this issue. Twelve months on,it is clear that the actions required will place demands onall rural householders in terms of caring for their systemsand rectifying those that are defective. For its part, in a proposal to the National Rural WaterServices Committee, the NFGWS has indicated that theGWS sector is well placed to play its part in the nationaleffort that will be required to address this issue.

Rural Water News Autumn 2010

2

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DisclaimerWhile every care has been taken to ensure that the informationcontained in this publication is up to date and correct, noresponsibility will be taken by the National Federation ofGroup Water Schemes for any error which might occur.While are grateful for the support of our advertisers, readersshould note that inclusion of an advertisement does not implyany form of recommendation.We try to ensure the reliability of advertisers, but Rural

Water News cannot accept liability for the quality of goodsand services offered.

Rural Water News is published by the National Federationof Group Water Schemes. For further information, go towww.nfgws.ie or contact one of our offices: Monaghan(00-353-47-72766); Kiltimagh (00-353-94-9381802);Tuam (00-353-93-28712; Tullamore (00-353-57-9328068).

Continued from page 1• have systems assessed bya competent person.

• organise remediation, ifrequired.

• ensure that regular mainte-nance, including de-sludg-ing, is carried out.NFGWS submission

Pointing out that a very highproportion of OSWTS arelocated in areas of GWSorganisation, a recent sub-mission from the NFGWSto the National Rural WaterServices Committee sug-gests that the group schemesector is ideally placed todeal with this issue. It states:‘We feel that by adopting apro-active, low-cost andcommunity-based responseto this issue, we can playour part, alongside localauthorities in satisfying thedemands of the ECJ, whileat the same time improvingraw water quality across theGWS sector.’

Making the case for anextension of the NationalSource Protection PilotProject, the submissionenvisages group schemesclose to Dundalk workingwith Centre for FreshwaterStudies at Dundalk Instituteof Technology to educateGWS householders abouttheir OSWTS and to identifydefective systems.

Licensed de-sludgingIn addition to organisinglicensed de-sludging fortheir members at a premiumrate, the submission suggeststhat the schemes involvedmight reform as GroupWater Services Schemesand become the vehiclethrough which group sewer-age scheme grant supportscould be provided to dealwith defective OSWTS inrural areas.The GWSS would use abundling approach to securethe best rates possible.

CommentIn the headline to our cover story, we ask whether there is a rolefor the GWS sector in resolving the problem of Ireland’s hiddenpollutant – the effluent that flows from on-site wastewater treat-ment systems, generally referred to as septic tanks. The shortanswer is that there can be and probably should be.The findings of the National Source Protection Pilot Projectconfirm that while they may not represent the greatest pollutionthreat, these systems potentially pose a real and present danger.Properly installed, in the correct setting, they work well, butpoorly installed in the wrong setting and they are likely torelease a steady stream of pollutants into a water source 365days a year.Europe is not happy and is demanding action. So how will theissue be addressed? The message from Ivan Grimes couldn’thave been clearer. We will see new legislation and we will seeenforcement of the obligation on householders to ensure thattheir individual system is not causing pollution.Apart from the logistical nightmare that monitoring and enforce-ment will create for local authorities, make no mistake about it;there will be ongoing financial consequences for those of us wholive in the unsewered highways and by-ways of rural Ireland.The NFGWS board’s submission to the National Rural WaterServices Committee on this issue is a timely initiative, giventhat nearly 200,000 households belonging to both privately andpublicly-sourced group water schemes all have septic tanks!It suggests, amongst other things, a possible new role for theGWS sector as partners in a national endeavour. In essence,group water services schemes would have an active interest inwastewater out of the home, as well as potable water into it.Apart from co-ordinating periodic de-sludging of members’ sys-tems, the GWSS, in consultation with the local authority andindividual householders, would organise remediation of defectivesystems using a bundle approach to secure the best price possible.For this to be successful, the concept of the group seweragescheme will have to change, so that the grant-aid that is cur-rently only available for extending urban sewers to the fringesof towns and villages becomes available to rural householderswhose OSWTS are found to be defective. Apart from improving water quality at source, a valuable servicewould be created for GWSS members, plus cost savings.

Water Well DrillingWater Quality Improvements at SourceOne of the most important tasks for any group waterscheme is to consider the performance of yourgroundwater source in terms of quality and quantity. • Low-cost trial drilling can establish water supplyand water quality prior to developing productionwell/treatment system specification.

• Cement-sealed wells prevent shallow surface-waterentering a supply, reducing the risk of contamination.

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Rural Water ConferenceDelegates applaud varied and interesting programmeThe conference centre at theMcWilliam Park Hotel inClaremorris, County Mayo,was packed to capacity on16 September for the 9thAnnual Rural WaterConference, organisedjointly by the WaterServices Training Group(WSTG) and the NationalFederation of Group WaterSchemes (NFGWS).290 delegates listenedattentively to contributionsfrom a wide range of speak-ers and showed warmappreciation for the highstandard of presentationsthroughout.More than 100 groupwater schemes sent repre-sentatives, as did 20 localauthorities. There was rep-resentation also from arange of statutory agenciesincluding the EPA and theDept of the Environment,Heritage & LocalGovernment (DoEHLG).

Minister FinneranGerry Galvin, PrincipalAdviser at the DoEHLG andLeas Cathaoirleach of the

WSTG, opened proceedingsand introduced MichaelFinneran, TD, minister withresponsibility for the ruralwater sector.Minister Finneran paid aglowing tribute to the contri-bution of GWS sector overthe years, stating that it is ‘agreat example of what vol-unteering is all about’.

He described the closure inMarch of the ECJ caseagainst Ireland for breachesof the Drinking WaterDirective, as well as theappointment in May of thenew National Rural WaterServices Committee as ‘twoparticularly welcome devel-opments in the Rural WaterProgramme front this year’.As to the role of theNRWSC, Minister Finneranset this in the context of amajor refocusing of resourcesin the water services sector inthe years ahead. [For the textof the Minister’s speech, seepages 16 and 17].

Water demandThe implications of failing tomanage water demand was thetheme of the first presentation.Joe Gallagher, NFGWS,explained that excessivewater demand has conse-quences in terms of:

• increased running costs.• treatment plant capacity.• sustainability of a source.• supply and pressure.• public health.• environment/ecology.The additional moneybeing spent on energy, chem-icals, de-sludging and wearand tear on equipment, haveto be taken into account, asdoes the cost of additionalmaintenance and monitoring.

CapacityReminding delegates thattreatment plants are designedto cope with a specific volumeof water, he warned thatexcessive demand can meanthe inability of a plant to cope,water outages and increasedrisk of non-compliance.Similarly, sources may bevulnerable where there isover abstraction. Moreover,the risk of contaminationincreases as water levels in asource fall very low.

Above: A section of the attendance at this year’s Rural Water Conference.Left: NFGWS National Co-ordinator, Colm Brady, made a presentation toMinister, Michael Finneran, TD, who delivered the keynote address.


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Apart from reducing thenumber of members ascheme can supply, excessivewater demand through burstsand leaks may result in poorpressure in sections of aGWS network.

Public HealthRisks to public health arise atthe source, particularly ingroundwater supplies wherethe zone of contribution isincreased through overabstraction.Health risks increase at atreatment plant where treat-ment facilities are by-passedand/or treated water is blendedwith raw water to meet exces-sive demand. Both are taboo!Further concerns arise fromclogging of filters, because ofinsufficient time for back-washing.As for the environmental/ecological impact, MrGallagher emphasised the

connection between surfaceand groundwater supplies,pointing out that overabstraction from one has amajor effect on the other,thereby impacting on ecolog-ical systems.

Evaluating riskIn an interesting paper onapproaches to water safetyplanning, EPA Inspector,Suzanne Monaghan, providedpractical examples of hazardsfrom source to tap.When formulating a watersafety plan, she suggestedthat two questions be posed:‘How likely is it that thishazard will occur?’ and ‘howsevere would the conse-quences be if it did occur?’.From this, the risk categoryfor each potential hazard canbe established, ranging fromlow to high. Depending on the severityof risk, appropriate controlsshould be put in place, MsMonaghan explained.Stressing the importance ofoperational monitoring ‘toverify controls and to ensure

that problems show up early’,she added that ‘everythingshould be documented’. Amongst the benefits of aDrinking Water Safety Plan,Ms Monaghan listed the fol-lowing:• Improved water qualityand incident reduction

• Deficiencies in controls,procedures and trainingwill be highlighted

• Catchment improvements• Clearer, prioritisedinvestment

• Regulator and consumerconfidence

DisinfectionThe presentation concludedwith a preview of the revisedDisinfection Manual to befinalised later this year. MsMonaghan explained thattraining in relation to this man-ual will be rolled out in 2011.

Top right: Eileen Mallon, Dr Caoimhe Hickey, Dr David Drew, SuzanneMonaghan and Joe Gallagher presented a broad range of topics duringa lively and informative morning session.Top left: Gerry Galvin of the DoEHLG and WSTG opened the conference.Bottom left: There was a good uptake by delegates who availed of theopportunity to comment on specific topics and to put questions to speakers.

or RelaxationThe ideal venue in the heart of the West

Claremorris, Co. Mayo. Tel: 094 9378000 Fax: 094 9378001. Email: [email protected], Web: www.mcwilliamparkhotel.ie

CONFERENCE

As in recent years, the RuralWater Conference was huge-ly informative for thoseschemes considering theissue of source protection.There were three varied andvery interesting presentationstouching either directly orindirectly on this topic.

KarstAccording to Dr David Drewof Trinity College Dublin, itnormally takes three days toteach the basics about howwater works in a karst land-scape, but in less than half anhour he and Dr CaoimheHickey of the GeologicalSurvey of Ireland managed toconvince delegates that thisgeological form deserves spe-cial consideration, particularlyby drinking water providers!These were excellent pre-sentations; educational and

relevant, especially to themany schemes in the west ofthat draw water from springsin karst (limestone pavement)areas.Like the Burren, most karstareas in the world are sparselyinhabited, but in Ireland theopposite is the case. Ours arequite heavily populated!Imagine a river network andput a lid on the lot; that is howwater works in karst, DrDrew explained. It is fun-neled through undergroundconduits (like pipes) until itre-emerges as a spring.

FiltrationThere is often very little soilcover in a karst district.Consequently, there is pre-cious little filtration beforethe water sinks underground.As Dr Hickey explained,sinking streams and other

karst features allow water toby-pass any filtration at alland these pose a particularrisk of contamination.For those supplying drink-ing water in karst areas, themessage was simple; do yourhomework, get the hydrologi-cal study done that will mapyour underground river sys-tem and implement measuresto prevent pollution enteringyour raw water supplythrough karst features.Implementing RBD plansRiver Basin District Planswere finally signed off inJuly, but what hasn’t beenagreed yet is how will theseplans are to be implemented.The final contributor to themorning session was DrEileen Mallon, CatchmentOfficer in the Neagh/BannIRBD and a member of theNational Source ProtectionPilot Project Steering Group.Stakeholder engagement hasunderpinned implementationof the three River Basin Planslaunched in Belfast last

January, according to DrMallon and her role as one ofnine Catchment Officers is towork with local stakeholdersand the statutory agencies toeffect real improvements.Stakeholder groups wereformed in each of nine catch-ments to deliver on 26 LocalArea Plans.These meet every sixmonths, have open member-ship, independent chairs(where possible) and focus ona wide range of local watermanagement issues.Dr Mallon said that they pro-vide ‘a unique opportunity forstakeholders, policy makers,industry, researchers, govern-ment departments and the gen-eral public to meet and havefrank open discussions leadingto on-the-ground actions’.Where issues are reportedby the public or by newly-formed River Trusts, theseare dealt with in a structuredway and this has allayed ini-tial public scepticism aboutthe process.


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Top: Kathleen Ward, County Monaghan Rural Water MonitoringCommittee puts a question to Dr Siobhán Jordan of DkIT on the findingsof the National Source Protection Pilot Project.Bottom: Julie Brannigan, NFGWS with Tom Kirby, Secretary, WSTG.

Focus on thewater source


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Final ReportThe afternoon session openedwith the final presentation onsource issues, this time fromthree members of the DundalkInstitute of Technology teamthat has been working on theNational Source ProtectionPilot Project at Churchill &Oram GWS.Dr Suzanne Linnane, DrSiobhán Jordan and DrValerie McCarthy, provided asuccinct explanation of themain elements of the findingsof the National sourceProtection Pilot Project.They dealt with historic andcurrent pollution threats andput several of the main rec-ommendations of the studybefore conference delegates.As publication of the finalreport of this pilot study isimminent, it will be coveredin some detail in the nextissue of Rural Water News.Monitoring & sampling

Following the unscheduledpresentation by Ivan Grimeson the issue of on-site waste-

water treatment systems (seeour cover story), EPAInspector, Derval Devany,provided a very good sum-mary of the monitoring andsampling issues that arise fordrinking water suppliesunder the Regulations.This was a particularly rele-vant paper, given the release

earlier this year of an EPAhandbook on the implementa-tion of the Drinking WaterRegulations.Ms Devany stressed theimportance of all water sup-pliers having a copy of thehandbook, as it provides guid-ance in relation to both opera-tional and compliance moni-

toring and sampling. She said:‘If you, as Water ServicesAuthorities and private watersuppliers, follow the guidancein the handbooks and complywith the regulatory require-ments, then the drinking waterthat you provide will bewholesome and clean and fitto drink.’

l-r. Ivan Grimes (DoEHLG), Jean Gibson (NFGWS), Derval Devany (EPA), Brendan O’Mahony (NFGWS)(Chairperson), Drs Suzanne Linnane, Siobhán Jordan and Valerie McCarthy (Dundalk Institute of Technology).

NFGWS Quality AssuranceOfficer, Jean Gibson, is nostranger to delegates attend-ing the annual Rural WaterConference.In recent years, she has out-lined the origins and develop-ment of the Quality Assurancesystem, as well as the roll-outof training to some 276 groupschemes to date.This year, the focus was onhow schemes are respondingto that training, and the newswasn’t all positive!Ms Gibson revealed thatwhile schemes are performingwell in some areas, most haveyet to grasp the importance ofkeeping records. Explaining that NFGWSdevelopment staff have begunrevisiting trained schemes toassist with implementationand to monitor progress, shesaid that while performanceon the ground was ‘good’,

there is considerable ‘roomfor improvement’ in relationto record keeping.Far from being an after-thought, ‘documenting mustbe the starting point for QAimplementation on allschemes’, she said, adding:‘Without records, schemescannot evaluate improve-ments or disimprovements attheir control points and makeadjustments as required.’

TrainingPointing out that develop-ment officers are workingwith individual schemes todevelop tailored checklists,Ms Gibson called on schemesto appoint a dedicatedindividual to co-ordinatetheir QA system. Reminding delegates thattraining is restarting inOctober, she called for goodattendance by committeemembers at these events.

There’s more to do on QA– Jean Gibson


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The final session of a confer-ence is generally referred toas ‘the graveyard shift’, asmany delegates will havehave either fallen asleep orquietly slipped away duringthe coffee break.The fact that the annualRural Water Conferencealways provides an insightinto spending under the RuralWater Programme makes thisevent exceptional, however,and the bulk of delegatesstayed on, wide awake.Before hearing how moneyis being spent under the RWP,however, schemes were givensound advice from BarryDeane of the NFGWS on howto save the money they have!

Mr Deane pointed out thatconducting a water audit is thefirst step in making real sav-ings, not least because it mayshow that infrastructure youthought was required, wasn’tneeded at all!For this reason, a water auditis now required where anupgrade is requested, becauseit shows the real state ofaffairs. By the same token, it willstrengthen you upgrade appli-cation where the figures addup.Explaining the simplicity ofcompleting an audit, MrDeane revealed a spreadsheetspecially prepared by theNFGWS for the purpose and

available free to federatedgroup schemes.By filling in this spread-sheet, schemes will instantlyknow what their level unac-counted for water (UFW) isand can then set targets!Concluding his presentation,Mr Deane posed the questionwhether a 25% UFW target isactually low enough, givenevidence that schemes areachieving far better results. Rural Water Programme

Michael Clohessy, AssistantPrincipal Officer at theDoEHLG, and successor toCarthage Cusack as head ofthe rural water section inBallina, outlined progressunder the RWP.

Reminding delegates that451 schemes had been listedin the European Court ofJustice case against Irelandand that a further 277 hadbeen identified as requiringupgrade, he said of these 728schemes in total, upgradingwork has been completed on619 and this success hadprompted closure of ECJcase against Ireland in March.Outlining the breakdown inthe €93 million providedunder the RWP for 2010, MrClohessy listed the challengesand priorities for the RuralWater Programme, reiteratingthe message delivered in theMinister’s keynote address[see pages 16 & 17].


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Saving money ...and spending it

l-r. Maria Graham (DoEHLG), Michael Mongan (Mayo Co. Co.)(Chairperson), Michael Clohessy (DoEHLG) and Barry Deane (NFGWS).

After closing ‘a very success-ful conference’, MariaGraham (Principal Officer atthe DoEHLG) availed of theopportunity to visit PBKSGWS DBO treatment plant,designated HQ for MayoDBO bundle 2. Accompanying her on thevisit was Paddy Mahon,Senior Executive Engineer,Mayo County Council. Maria was formally wel-comed to the plant by PBKSManager, Willie Hughes andJane Lehany (OperationsManager TSSL). Plant operators MichaelKenny and Derek Dillane

explained how the treatmentprocess works, while Janeand Derek demonstrated theSCADA system throughwhich TSSL will monitor allof the plants in the bundle. The range and level ofonline monitoring equipmentthat has been incorporatedinto the design of the plant isimpressive.Willie Hughes welcomedthe considerable investmentthat had been made in thetreatment plant and network,adding that the challenge forPBKS now is to ensure thatquality water is delivered toconsumers’ taps consistently.

Maria Graham visits Mayo HQ ofsecond DBO bundle project


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When thinking about insur-ance cover, careful consider-ation needs to be given towhat are the principal risksbeing insured.The list will undoubtedlyinclude property damage,employer’s liability and pub-lic liability, but there may beothers.Above all else, schemesmust be sure that the policiesthey have cover the risks thathave been identified.

Sufficient coverNext schemes need to ask iftheir coverage limits are highenough, because there isnothing more frustrating (orpotentially costly) for anybusiness than discoveringthat you are under-insuredwhen a claim has been made!In this context, schemesshould find out if there is asum that the insured party[i.e. the GWS] must pay itselfwhen a claim is made.Furthermore, a schemeneeds to know if losses atseparate times will be consid-ered a single loss or multiplelosses for purposes of thecoverage limits and whetheror not there are risks that areexcluded from cover.Where there are gaps incoverage, it should beremembered that insurers aregenerally willing to negoti-ate endorsements to theirpolicies that broaden cover-age, usually for increasedpremiums.

Getting adviceA thorough investigation ofthe risk profile of your groupscheme by a professionalinsurance broker will providegroup schemes with a clearerview as to their requirementsand will help determine if anyeconomies can be achieved.It is a considerable chal-lenge for any GWS commit-tee to determine if its spreadof insurance cover is suffi-cient in terms of the financialamounts covered and in termsof the range of insurancetypes purchased.Where a scheme is buyinginsurance for the first time andis fearful of missing some-thing, it might be an idea toprocure the services of a riskassessment company, toadvise as to the nature of therisks to which their scheme isexposed and the best methodof minimising both the risksand the costs of getting insur-ance cover for those risks.

Public liabilityThe standard public liabilitypolicy will protect a groupwater scheme in cases of acci-dental bodily injury to a thirdparty or loss or damage to thethird party’s property. There is an indemnity limiton each policy, which varies.For a typical example, theindemnity limit for groupwater schemes might be in theorder of €2.5 to €3 million inrespect of any single thirdparty accident.

There is no limit to the num-ber of accidents that will bedealt with in any one period.As in every contract,schemes need to read thesmall print to see if there are

any exclusions. For example,in the case of public liability,there may be several exclu-sions, which need to be readin conjunction with the stan-dard policy.

Insurance cover for group water schemesIssues that management committees/boards should think aboutPurchasing insurance for a group water scheme is one of the keyfunctions of management and should not be taken lightly.Boards of management/committees should take the time tocarefully review their schemes’ coverage requirements and seekthe guidance of experienced professionals. Working with aknowledgeable insurance broker will go a long way to ensuringthat a scheme is not the subject of a claim in an area that has notbeen provided for.In this article, we look at some of the issues that your schemeshould consider when purchasing insurance.

The level of risk (and the potential premiums) associated with insuringGWS infrastructure will be reduced where precautionary measures aretaken, such as the in addition of safety railing on reservoirs (as in the aboveexample from Mid Roscommon GWS), or in the erection of secure fencingaround treatment facilities (as in this example from Townawilly GWS).

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Employer’s liabilityAn employee is any personunder a contract of servicewith the group scheme. Theexistence of a contract ofservice is central to both theEmployer’s Liability Policyand the appliacation of theduty of care principle in theEmployment Contract.Employer’s liability insur-ance indemnifies a groupscheme in respect of claimsfor bodily injury or disease toemployees sustained duringthe course of their employ-ment. There is usually an indem-nity limit indicated, say of€13 million for any one acci-dent, but there is no limit tothe number of accidents cov-ered in any one period ofinsurance.A group scheme may incurliability for injury to itsemployees where there isnegligence in failing to applyreasonable care and skill interms of:• providing a safe place ofwork.• providing a safe system ofwork.

• engaging suitable andcompetent employees.• breach of statutory regula-tion, of which there aremany.• negligence of fellowemployees.In the case of DBO con-tracts, Service Providers areresponsible for insuring theirown employees, motor vehi-cles etc. GWS managementshould check that these insur-ances are in place.Schemes in DBO contractsshould, however, be awarethat they are responsible forinsuring their treatment plantand other infrastructure.

Under insuranceAs already stated, it is impor-tant to avoid ‘under insurance’and to revise values each yearto keep pace with inflation. Most insurance policiesoperate what is called ‘anaveraging clause’. Thismeans that if a person doesnot insure a property for itsfull value and the suminsured at the time of the lossis less than the value at risk,you are considered your owninsurer for the difference!

Customers are generallyoffered the opportunity toindex the sum insured to theconsumer or constructionprice index and to have theirinsurance adjusted automati-cally on an annual basis.

ExtensionA basic Fire Policy can beextended to include variousperils. Some of the perils ofmost relevance to groupschemes are explosion,storm, flood, burst pipes andmalicious damage. Group schemes shouldassess which of these addi-tional perils require coveragein their particular situation. For example, if there were adanger of pump houses andtreatment plants being sub-ject to malicious damage thenextension of the insurance tocover this peril would beimportant.Similarly, the policy willneed to be extended to coverinsurance on a van or digger

purchased to facilitate repairand maintenance. Engineering insuranceshould also be considered.This covers machinery andplant, such as pressure ves-sels of all kinds, pumps, elec-trical motors, refrigeratedplant and lifting machinery.

ContractorsGiven the heath & safetyissues involved, groupschemes increasingly enterinto arrangements with con-tractors to carry out pipe-lay-ing, repairs and new connec-tions etc.It is important that suchcontractors carry full insur-ance and GWS managementshould ensure that this is thecase.Similarly, where profes-sional consultancy servicesare contracted, there shouldbe professional liabilityinsurance in place to coverwhat are referred to as ‘errorsand omissions’.

Group water schemes should be satisfied that contractors are adequatelyinsured and that consultants have professional liability insurance.


12

Painful as it is for a Monaghan man to admit anything positiveabout our next-door neighbour, Cavan seems to be ahead ofthe rest of us when it comes to addressing the thorny issue ofon-site wastewater treatment systems, including septic tanks.A series of bye-laws passed by the local authority severalyears ago has meant that officials in Cavan County Councilhave a head start in dealing with this national problem.More than a third of all tanks in the county were assessedsome years back as part of a voluntary initiative, but the reg-ulatory regime has tightened considerably since then and isreportedly being applied rigorously to anyone building in anunsewered area.Amongst other things, the council must be notified some daysin advance of percolation tests, so that an official can be pres-ent to ensure that everything is ok.No surprise then that with such a focus on the issue, Cavanwas the only county specifically excluded from the judgementagainst Ireland in the European Court of Justice.Given that Cavan County Manager, Jack Keyes, sits on theNational Rural Water Services Committee, we can expect thatthis experience will feed into a national strategy to address theproblems caused to our environment by defective systems.

***

The figures didn’t make sense when water usage was beingassessed in a recently-constructed housing development inTulsk, County Roscommon. Here were 24 residences using noless than 80m3 a day. An investigation by Noel Carroll of thelocal GWS revealed several leaks on the consumer side of theconnection, the worst accounting for 54 m3 a day! A brass fitting having been over-tightened, it cracked and theleak got progressively worse over a period of four years sincethe houses were built and the developer had departed the scene.By the time Noel and his team were finished, 80m3 a day hadbeen reduced to 5m3. How’s that for UFW reduction?

***If Barry Deane was grinning like a Cheshire cat at the recentRural Water Conference (see page 11), he had good reason.Just a week earlier this particular cool cat got the cream,marrying his fiancé, the lovely Lisa Coulter at a secret hide-away in Costa del Amore (or something like that).Having wed in Spain, where did the happy couple spend theirhoneymoon? Well strange to relate and curious as it mayseem, they decided that you can’t beat Ireland after all. Informed sources (possibly the lads in the local WalterstownGWS) tell me that the lions in Fota Wildlife Park roared withapproval when Barry and his blushing bride booked into theneighbouring Fota Island Hotel. There Barry’s namesake andhotel manager (Mr Deane) upgraded the happy couple to aluxurious penthouse suite for the duration of their stay! Sure why wouldn’t the lad be grinning?

***And continuing the ‘good news’ theme, heartiest congratu-lations to our colleague Karen (Mulkeen) Carney on thebirth of her beautiful daughter, Caoilinn, the pride of Mayo!


13

On thewater front

by Brian MacDonald

At its September meeting,the National Rural WaterServices Committee gavethe go-ahead for a pilotproject on several ground-water schemes in CountiesLimerick and Cork. A joint initiative betweenthe NFGWS and theGeological Survey of Ireland,this project is exploring thepotential for a collaborativeapproach between groupschemes and hydrogeologistsin completing preliminaryassessments of groundwatersupply zones.As explained in our lastissue, the schemes involvedare to compile historic infor-mation on their sources,carry out raw water samplingand analysis and check forkarst or other vulnerable fea-tures in their area.

Armed with this informa-tion, the GSI anticipates thatfieldwork to identify thezone of contribution andpoints of vulnerability ofsources will be completed ina speedy and more cost-effective way.This fieldwork is scheduledto take place in October.The participating schemesare geographically clustered,as the pilot also aims to findout if cost savings can beachieved through bundling ofschemes for this purpose.Thus, hydrogeologists arevisiting several neighbouringschemes, rather than a singleGWS.Depending on the successof the pilot, it is hoped thatthe project can be extendedto all groundwater schemesover the next five years.

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Responding to the downturnGroup schemes urged to consider ‘flexible’payment systems for hard-pressed membersNFGWS National Co-ordi-nator, Colm Brady, hascalled on group waterschemes to adopt a sympa-thetic and flexible approachto billing their most vulner-able members during thecurrent economic downturn. In response to growing evi-dence that there has been anincrease in the number ofrural families experiencinggenuine problems meetingtheir financial commitments,Mr Brady said:‘Many people, particularlyfamilies with young children,large mortgage commitmentsand possibly reduced incomesare finding it increasingly dif-ficult to discharge their every-day bills.‘While it is essential thatgroup water schemes aremanaged in a business-likefashion, including ensuringprompt collection of moniesdue in respect of watercharges, group scheme man-agement should always beconscious of the possibilityof genuine necessitous orhardship cases among theirconsumers/members.’

ConfidentialPointing out that each suchcase should be dealt with‘sympathetically, confiden-tially and on a case-by-casebasis’, Mr Brady explained: ‘GWS management shouldbear in mind that it isn’talways easy to admit, usuallyto a member of one’s owncommunity, that things arenot as good financially asthey may appear to be.’

FlexibleArguing that ‘serious consid-eration should be given toputting in place and operat-ing “flexible” payment sys-tems, where necessary’, MrBrady said:‘The NFGWS is aware thatsome schemes have set upStanding Order systems ofpayment to assist in these cir-cumstances – allowing mem-bers who simply cannot paythe full amount at once todischarge their bill over anumber of months. ‘This can literally be a life-saver for the individual whogenuinely wants to pay theirway, but who may be over-whelmed with a number ofcommitments when the fullbill arrives. ‘It also ensures that the GWSreceives the payment – albeitover a longer period.

MABSMr Brady concluded thatmembers with financial diffi-culties should be encouragedto contact either their localMoney Advice and BudgetingService (MABS) or theCommunity Welfare Serviceas these may be in a positionto provide assistance. ‘Inexceptional circumstances’, hesaid, ‘a one-off waiver may bethe most prudent approach’.

‘Serious considerationshould be given to puttingin place and operating“flexible” payment sys-tems, where necessary’.

‘It isn’t always easy toadmit, usually to a memberof one’s own community,that things are not as goodfinancially as they mayappear to be.’

Colm Brady

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Water DemandManagement Studydomestic consumption under TCD spotlight

An ongoing postgraduateresearch study, at TrinityCollege Dublin (TCD) isattempting to answer ques-tions about residential waterconsumption in the Republicof Ireland.Although domestic usageaccounts for 60% of totalwater demand, JenniferBrady of the EnvironmentalScience Unit at TCD hasfound that there is preciouslittle data in relation to thishuge level of consumption.She says:‘As the vast majority ofhouseholds are neithermetered nor charged forwater, it is difficult to obtaina detailed understanding ofdomestic consumption interms of the actual volumesused, factors influencingdemand and how much wereally need! ‘Yet the key element in man-aging usage and planning forfuture demand is to under-stand usage patterns and alsothe drivers behind it.’

FocusMs Brady believes that if weare serious about addressingthe problem of excessivedemand, we need to have adetailed understanding ofwater use behaviour.Apart from actively assess-ing and targeting areas whereconsiderable reductions canbe achieved, her study focuseson individuals’ attitudes andtheir receptiveness to waterconservation measures. Ms Brady’s project aims tofill many of the gaps in ourunderstanding of these issuesthrough working with groupwater scheme households. These provide a very valu-able insight into water usagepatterns precisely becausethey are metered.

Baseline studyFunded by TCD, a baselinestudy of household waterusage is being conducted atpresent, with the help of theNFGWS and the co-opera-tion of individual GWS man-agers, as well as committeesand members.Meters are being read fort-nightly on 86 GWS house-holds across Carlow,Kilkenny, Monaghan,Roscommon, Galway andClare to determine the rangein household consumptionand fluctuations in usageover time. Ms Brady expects that thisbaseline study will also pro-vide some insight into aver-age household and per capitausage. She points out that dailyreadings are also being car-ried out seasonally to estab-lish peak demand periods andseasonal variation.

DublinSurvey sheets are beingdelivered to 2,500 house-

holds in Dublin to determineattitudes to water chargingand water conservation, aswell as evaluating water usebehaviour.It is planned to launch asimilar survey in rural townsand across a number of groupwater schemes to measurepossible variations in atti-tudes and water use behav-iour between metered andnon-metered households. Water usage diaries will bemaintained by willing house-holders to establish a detailedunderstanding of usage bothinside and outside the home.

FeedbackOne key aspect of this studyis to evaluate the effective-ness of providing household-ers with details of their waterusage, as a mechanism in sig-nificantly reducing house-hold water consumption. Through collaboration withMonaghan-based companyAquaWatch Ltd, weeklymeter readings of participatinggroup water scheme house-

holds will be undertaken overseveral months. Thirty homes will be pro-vided with an indoor wirelessAquaWatch device, whichwill inform householders ofboth their hourly and dailywater usage, in addition toindicating the presence ofleaks.If found effective in reduc-ing water consumption, thisdevice will undoubtedly be ofinterest to water suppliers aswell as to individual house-holders and commercial out-lets wanting to monitor theirwater usage patterns.

ValuableBased on the overall study,valuable information will beprovided to assist policymakers and water suppliers inmaking informed decisionsabout water managementwithin the Irish residentialsector.Furthermore, the resultswill feed into the wider aim ofachieving sustainable waterresources into the future.

Jennifer Brady pictured with Éamonn Hughes and Aidan McGinn of AquaWatch. Thirty remote monitoringAquawatch devices are to be fitted into households as part of the TCD study of domestic water usage.

Focus‘The near completion of theworks required to achievecompliance with theEuropean [Drinking Water]court case will allow morefocus on the wider needs ofthe Rural Water Programme.‘In this context, rural waterservices covers all servicesassociated with the provisionof drinking water and wastewater collection, treatmentand disposal in rural commu-nities.’‘There are changes andchallenges ahead. First andforemost, we need to ensurethat the improvementsachieved through the invest-ment of close to €900 mil-lion in the group water sectorover the past decade are sus-tained and that compliancewith drinking water stan-dards continues to increase. ‘The focus will increasing-ly move to ensuring good

operational practice, throughquality assurance, trainingand supervision of the sector.

Public supplies‘While most of the investmentunder the Rural WaterProgramme has been directedtowards the group water sec-tor, a special contingencyfund of €18 million has beenestablished under the pro-gramme to facilitate improve-ments in smaller public watersupplies which appear on theEPA’s Remedial Action List.‘While I understand that sig-nificant progress is beingmade in addressing theseissues, this is an area whichwill continue to be a particularpriority for investment.

River Basin PlansWe must also have regard tothe EU Water FrameworkDirective. In accordance withthat Directive, we have nowadopted River BasinManagement Plans, which

came into effect from July thisyear.‘These plans set out envi-ronmental objectives to beachieved in our water and themeasures to be implementedto achieve these objectives.‘The measures we areimplementing nationally inpursuit of better quality waterin our environment generally

can also be considered thefoundation work for the pro-vision of quality drinkingwater.

The future‘Future directions of ruralwater policy and investmentpriorities will, therefore,have to be set in the contextof the objectives of theWater Framework Directiveand the economic and finan-cial realities which willinfluence investment over thecoming years.‘We need to ensure that weare targeting resources in away that achieves best valuefor money and that maximisesthe impact, while securingsustainable outcomes.‘For example, the smallschemes measure of the RWPwill have to take account ofthe investment requirementsunder the programme ofmeasures in the relevant riverbasin management plans forsmaller wastewater treatmentplants.


16

Top: Minister Michael Finneran, TD, delivering the keynote address to the Rural Water Conference.Bottom: Construction works on the DBO water treatment plant and reservoir at Oran-Ballintubber GWS,County Roscommon are well advanced, as the major plank of the RWP upgrade strategy nears completion.

Changes and challenges aheadMinister Finneran addresses the future of water services investmentIn his keynote address to this year’s Rural WaterConference, Minister Michael Finneran, TD, called for thecompletion of the upgrade programme on non-compliantgroup water schemes and spoke about the changes and chal-lenges that lie ahead for the rural water sector. The ministerprovided a broad outline of the areas that are likely to seetargeted investment in the years ahead. Below, we reprintsections of his speech.

‘This will be informed bythe certification of such dis-charges by the EPA and theneed for essential develop-ment in key villages andsmaller towns arising fromthe implementation of localauthority development plan“core strategies”, as providedunder the Planning andDevelopment Act 2010. Constructed wetlands

‘With guidance close to com-pletion on IntegratedConstructed Wetlands, it isintended that funding will beprovided in future years forinitiatives to apply thisapproach to municipal dis-charges from villages andsmall communities.

OSWTS judgement‘Many of you will be awarethat last October theEuropean Court of Justice

ruled against Ireland regard-ing domestic wastewaterfrom septic tanks and other

on-site wastewater treatmentsystems.‘To address the ruling, itwill be necessary to bring for-ward legislation which willprovide for the setting of stan-dards for the performance andoperation of all septic tanksand similar OSWTS.‘Consultation with keystakeholders will be impor-

tant in developing a responseto the ruling. As the new leg-islation will have conse-quences for the rural watersector, input from the thissector will form a part of thisconsultation process.

Interesting times‘As you can see ... some inter-esting times lie ahead for theRural Water Programme.’


17

Top: NFGWS Board members met Minister Finneran immediately prior tothe conference to discuss issues of immediate relevance to the GWS sector.Bottom left: Séamus Ó Gallchóir of Comharchumann Uisce An EargailTeo at the site of a proposed treatment plant and storage reservoir toserve the local Meenabool GWS, one of a small number of group schemesstill awaiting the provision of even basic water treatment.Bottom right. An aerial view of the successful constructed wetland site out-side the village of Glaslough, County Monaghan. Such facilities are likelyto become a feature of other Irish villages in the years ahead.

Water exhibitionTaking place on the 13-14October in the SimmonscourtPavilion at the RDS inDublin, the Irish WaterExhibition prides itself asIreland’s leading event forthe water and waste waterindustry.A highlight of the annualexhibition are the seminars towhich admission is free.High level speakers discusswater challenges currentlybeing faced in Ireland.Topics this year include: • novel treatment ofstormwater

• panel discussion – Shouldthe Shannon go to Dublin?

• a case study on flood man-agement.

• water poverty – a keyissue in domestic metering

• Rainwater Harvesting –

economic & physicalpracticalities for thedomestic market

• The spirit of Ireland – wateras a strategic economicresource

• proposal for a sustainablezero–wastewater manage-ment policyFor more information on theseminars and to view the fullprogramme, you should visitwww.resourceireland.net/seminars.Entry to the show alsogives you free access to co-located exhibitions, IrishRecycling & WasteExhibition and the newlylaunched Irish SustainableBusiness Exhibition.For more information andto register, just log ontowww.resourceireland.net/reglive.

Pipe installationXgate Ltd is a Sligo-basedpipe-laying company, special-ising in vibratory moleploughing of water mainsfrom 20mm to 125mm pipe inroadside or cross country situ-ations.With rubber tyre andtracked vibratory ploughmachines from 1.8 ton to 24tons, the company was recent-ly contracted by Sligo CountyCouncil to install 63mm and90mm pipework at particularsections of a water schemethat had numerous leaks. As this was a roadside job,the engineer’s solution to solv-ing the leak problem withoutseverely disrupting the watersupply was to plough a newmain on top of the existingwater main with pe100 sdr17pipe and marker tape.An 800 metre section of63mm pipework was com-pleted in one day, while the600 metre section of 90mmtook 3 days. With pipework completed,consumers were connectedeasily, as no road crossingwas required.Rooskey GWS on the Sligo-Mayo border contracted thecompany to install a new mainalong the roadside, thus elimi-nating the old main that ranthrough fields.As part of this contract,new connections had to beinstalled at houses, mostlythrough gardens.

So as not to dig up the man-icured gardens, Xgate used its1.8 ton vibratory lawn ploughto go from the road boundaryto the existing feed at the backof the house, with no visibledisturbance to the garden. It was a neat solution towhat could be a tricky situa-tion with any home owner.For the Xgate website go towww.xgate.ie or simply phoneFergus on 086-2585805.

USSRFor schemes that have beendrawing water from surfacewaters or from groundwaterswith iron or manganese,without proper filtration, thedistribution network is likelyto be caked with substancesthat will impact on drinkingwater quality.USSR, a company based inCastlebar and Dublin, hasbeen proving its network-cleaning credentials to groupschemes and public suppliesthroughout the country inrecent years.The company uses air andwater to blow out any materialthat might have built up in thepipes. The air is filtered – so as notto allow any oil into the GWSnetwork, and is mixed with thewater to cause a wave motionthat removes the material fromthe walls of the pipes and alsofrom the low lying sections ofthe network.For further details, go towww.usa-ltd.ie.


18

The Xgate mole-plough installing a roadside pipe without trenching. Upto 125mm pipes can be installed either along a roadside or through fields.

What’s new in theWater Industry

GWS activists in Roscommon were more than satisfied with the pipecleaning carried out by USSR recently. Large volumes of debris, includ-ing marl from a local lake supply (pictured above) had stuck to the insideof pipes over many years. All of this was cleaned out by the USSR system.

GalwayGlan Agua has commencedconstruction on the secondDBO bundle. Civil works,including site clearance,excavation, fencing andhealth & safety works priorto construction have startedon Ballyaneen Rakerin,Peterswell Castledaly,Ballinabanaba, BarnadergGortbeg, Lydacan and AbbeyKylemore.At the DBO steering groupmeeting on 24 September,Glan Agua revealed that theyare slightly ahead of pro-gramme and making goodprogress on these sites.

***

Ecological issues that havearisen at three sites are cur-rently being addressed in co-operation with the NationalParks & Wildlife Service. It ishoped that these issues can beresolved soon and that therewill be minimal delays.

***

Over the summer monthsgreat progress has been madeon the DBO advance works,as regular site progress meet-ings were held between thecontractors, the clients’ rep-resentative and the residentengineering staff.

***

Work on Kiltiernan GWS isnow at an advanced stage andit is hoped to commenceworks on the BallinakillMoyard critical mains withinthe next month. To date over35km of pipework has beeninstalled.

***


RegionalReportsConnachtRegionby Barry Deane,

Paul Connolly and Joe Gallagher

19

The Steering Group for the second Galway DBO bundle at their meeting on 24 September.

Glan Agua has specific experience on the operation and maintenance of water infrastructure, including:

Abstraction of raw water and source protection.Treatment of water to fully comply with Irish and EU drinking water standards on a long term basis.Operation and Maintenance of potable water and waste water treatment plantsDelivery of treated water and management of the distribution pipework and storage reservoirs.Water conservation and network management to reduce unaccounted for water.Leak detection and reduction.Asset Management services for water services infrastructure.Water metering and customer database management, including billing services.

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20

Following earlier difficulties,critical mains replacement &metering on Menlough GWSis now at an advanced stage,with over 15km of pipeworkcompleted.

***It is hoped that a contractorwill shortly be appointed foradvance works contract num-ber 7, the interconnectingpipe for the amalgamatedBallinabanaba GWS.Tenders for the contract werereceived in August.

***A well attended informationmeeting for schemes in thesecond DBO bundle was heldin August.It was explained that the con-tractor has divided his con-struction programme intothree groups for the DesignBuild phase of the project:Galway South, East andWest. For each construction area,Resident Engineering staffhave been appointed to over-see the work completed bythe contractor. Mike Melody of GalwayCounty Council will be theSenior Resident Engineer forthe entire bundle.

LeitrimSliabh an Iarann GWS is dueto start DBO advance worksshortly as a contractor has

been selected. These worksconsist of amalgamating thethree former group waterschemes and installingmeters on all connections.Work on the DBO plant isalso due to commence shortly,as Glan Agua is makingexcellent progress across theRoscommon bundle.

***The training course for themanagement committees ofgroup water schemes will bedelivered to County LeitrimGWS Federation members inNovember. Schemes will becontacted with details of thetraining in the next few weeks.

MayoOperational difficulties at twoplants in DBO bundle 1 arecurrently being addressed. Theservice provider, Aecom Ltd.,has been instructed to replacethe membranes at the FahyGWS and Kilmovee GWStreatment plants.We understand that the Fahymembranes have been deliv-ered to site and that installa-tion will start shortly.Membranes for KilmoveeGWS are due to be deliveredto site in the coming weeks.

***Work on the replacement of 3km of the Killeen GWS rawwater pipeline has been com-pleted, but there is still a prob-

lem with air getting into thepipe at, or close to, the lakeintake. This problem needs tobe resolved before a treatedwater supply can be providedto Cregganbaun GWS.

***An LMC meeting for DBObundle 1 was held on 27September.

***Work on DBO bundle 2 isprogressing well. NephinValley, Callow Lake andMoylaw water treatmentplants are currently fully oper-ational. Process proving has com-menced on Parke, PBKS andSraheens Group WaterSchemes.Work on Cloonmore/Rooskeyand Curraghmore is nearingcompletion and these plantsshould be commissioned bymid October. Construction on Clew Bay andKillasser water treatmentplants is progressing well andboth these schemes are due tobe operational by midDecember.

***Representatives of all tenschemes in the bundle attend-ed Performance ManagementTraining in Castlebar on 15September.Training was also attendedby representatives fromTreatment Systems Services

Ltd (TSSL) as well as MayoCounty Council and theClient’s Representative forthis bundle.

***The first Liaison MonitoringCommittee Meeting is sched-uled to take place in earlyDecember by which time themajority of the plants shouldbe operational.

***There was great interest in thetender for DBO advanceworks no. 4 contract onCallow Lake GWS. This newGWS will incorporate the for-mer, Callow, Meelick andBohola schemes when com-pleted. Sixteen tenders werereceived and they are current-ly being evaluated. It is hoped that this processwill be completed over thenext fortnight and that workwill commence before the endof 2010.

***Tender documents for theupgrade of Nephin ValleyGWS are being finalised atpresent and the project shouldgo to tender shortly.

***A number of schemes are cur-rently being examined with aview to their being taken-in-charge by the end of the year.

***The tender report and recom-mendation for the upgrade ofKilcolman/Facefield GWShas been received andapproved and construction isexpected to start next month.

***Work on the upgrade of theMayo Abbey Village GWShas been completed and awater audit is being carried outat present in advance of con-nection to the Lough MaskRegional Supply.

***Mayo Rural Water MonitoringCommittee met on 8September. A detailed reporton all aspects of the RuralWater Programme was provid-ed by Ger Munnelly, SeniorEngineer, Mayo Co. Council.

All ten schemes in Mayo DBO bundle 2 were represented at Performance Management System training on 15September. Representatives of TSSL (DBO operator), the Client’s Representative and Mayo Co. Co. also attended.


21

RoscommonCritical mains replacementhas almost been completedon Rathcarren GWS andClooneygrasson GWS, bothof which are in the process ofamalgamating as part of thenew Oran Ballintubber GWS.Huge reductions in waterusage have been recordedsince these works com-menced.

***Shadlough GWS, which ispart of the Mid Roscommonamalgamated scheme, recent-ly carried out intensive clean-ing of their entire network.These works were completedby USSR, a specialist compa-ny in this area. The resultshave proved very successful.As the GWS was pumpingfrom a lake source for thepast 30 years – and with nofiltration system – there wasa lot of build-up in the pipes.16km of network wascleaned and the result, interms of treated water quality,has been excellent.

***Clooncullane GWS also hadits network cleaned by USSRwith first class results. ThisGWS is similarly suppliedfrom a lake source and theworks were completed beforethe GWS could be suppliedfrom the new CorracreighGWS treatment plant.

***Pollacat GWS has asked itscontractor to produce a reportand a design for a new treat-ment system to cope with thehigher colour and turbiditylevels being experienced inthe raw water supply. This report should be com-pleted and available to theGWS by mid October.The GWS recently cleanedits reservoir as, due to the dif-ficulties with the raw water,there was a build-up of mate-rial in the bottom of the tankand this had a huge affect onresidual chlorine levels.

***Advance works are almostcomplete on all three amalga-

mated schemes in the DBObundle, with only snag itemsoutstanding.

***Works are well underway onthe Corracreigh GWS reser-voir site in Rathcroghan, withthe construction completed

and the reservoir currentlybeing tested. Civil works have been com-pleted on the treatment plantsite at Cloonyquin and themechanical and electrical(M&E) plant is currentlybeing installed.

This innovative interconnecting booster station will link the MidRoscommon and Oran Ballintubber GWS networks, pumping in any of 3directions as required. The precast and fully fitted structure was suppliedby Campions. As a further enhancement, a secondary chlorination unit willalso be fitted. Welcoming this and other progressive developments duringthe construction of the Roscommon DBO bundle project, local GWSactivist, Noel Carroll has paid tribute to the ‘visionary and co-operativeapproach’ being adopted by the officials of Roscommon County Council.


22

***Mid Roscommon GWS hastwo sources and two treat-ment plant/reservoir sites.Works are well advanced atthe Ballinderry site, with struc-tural work complete on thetreatment plant and reservoir. Testing of the reservoir isongoing, while M&E instal-lation in the treatment planthas started recently and isprogressing well.At the second site, inLismurtagh, treatment plantconstruction is complete, andM&E installation will beginshortly. The reservoir at thissite is still is under construc-tion. Some minor works havestarted at the spring sourcesat Carnalasson and Ogulla.

***Construction of a treatmentplant and reservoir at Carane,to serve Oran BallintubberGWS is complete and reser-voir testing will begin soon.M&E installation at the treat-ment plant is expected to startshortly.

SligoFollowing the completion ofa Cryptosporidium riskassessment on the groupwater schemes in the SligoNorth West DBO bundlefunding for remedial workshas been approved by theDoEHLG. Work should com-mence shortly.

***The land transfer for the pro-posed new reservoir atCastlebaldwin GWS has beenconcluded. It is proposed toprogress construction as soonas possible.

***Doongeela GWS committeehas formally applied to amal-gamate with Geevagh/Highwood GWS. If and when the amalgamationprocess is finalised, SligoCounty Council has indicatedthat it will progress allupgrade works associatedwith the interconnectingmain to facilitate the amalga-mation.

***

The recent meeting of SligoRural Water MonitoringCommittee was informedthat Carrowdargney GWShas submitted a proposal toSligo County Council inorder to satisfy their obliga-tions under the DrinkingWater Regulations. In response, the Council hasasked for clarification withrespect to a number of itemscontained in the proposal.

***Sligo Co. Council has beenworking with BallygawleyGWS committee in an effortto resolve outstanding issueswhich have to be resolved inorder to facilitate the pro-posed taking-in-charge ofthis scheme. High levels of unaccountedfor water have been a partic-ular issue, as has the paymentof outstanding water charges.Works completed to dateinclude installation of numer-ous bulk meters, scour andsluice valves. A programme of leak detec-

tion is currently underway,assisted by council staff.

***The taking-in-charge ofFinned/Castletown GWS,near Easkey, is ongoing.Upgrade works were com-pleted in April last.

***Cooga GWS, in theEnniscrone area will seeupgrade works commencesoon as part of the schemebeing taken-in-charge.

***Meter boxes have beeninstalled, but pipeline con-struction remains to be com-pleted on Lissaneena GWSnear Collooney, as part of itstaking-in-charge.

***Surveys have been carriedout on some of the sevenother publicly-sourcedschemes awaiting taking-in-charge. Some are newschemes and require onlyminor works, while otherswill require significantupgrading.

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CarlowThe joint Carlow andWexford Federation ofGroup Water Schemes met inthe summer to discuss Healthand Safety on groupschemes. The meeting was attended byrepresentatives of Ballina-branna GWS, BallyellenGWS, St. Mullins ParishGWS, Blackstairs GWS andMullaun GWS.John Jones, ConsultingEngineer, gave a short pres-entation on the importance ofthis issue and recommendedthat each scheme should bepreparing a Health and Safetystatement. Since the meeting the majorityof schemes in both countiesare in the process of organis-ing the preparation of state-ments with assistance fromJohn Jones.

***Ballyellen GWS completedan upgrade of their pumphouse in recent months. Thescheme availed of fundingfrom Carlow County Councilto help them install new neatchlorine dosing pumps andan alarmed continuous chlo-rine monitor. The new sys-tem has been operating suc-cessfully for a number ofmonths now.

***A planned meeting of theRural Water MonitoringCommittee in September hadto be postponed. The com-mittee has not met for a num-ber of years and it is hopedthat a meeting can berescheduled in the nearfuture.

KildareTenders for their new reservoirat Usk Gormanstown GWSwere returned in August andhave been reviewed by the

schemes consultants, T. J.O’Connor & Associates. A new 300m3 reservoir willreplace the existing steel reser-voir and will provide thescheme with additional heightand storage. This will help alleviate some ofthe pressure problems that thescheme has experienced overthe years. The distribution network islocated over quite a hilly districtand has some quite elevatedareas which were known tohave had pressure problemspreviously. GWS manager Pat Martin ishappy with the quick tenderturn around and is hoping thatthe appointed contractor will bein a position to start the job assoon as possible, so that thework may be completed beforethe end of the year.

***Kildare Rural WaterMonitoring Committee metin July. Rural Water LiaisonOfficer, Cyril Buggieexplained that since the pre-vious meeting, he had writtento the DoEHLG seeking extrafunding. The Department hadinformed him that some addi-tional funding might be madeavailable.

***Since the July meeting, theDepartment has indicated thatextra funding to finish thewater conservation works onthe Narraghmore GWS maybe made available shortly.GWS secretary, John Fox,said that this funding wouldallow Narraghmore to meterthe remainder of their net-work.This be a huge benefit as itwill enable the scheme to fur-ther reduce unaccounted forwater.

***Tenders have now beenreturned for the upgrade ofthe Kilteel GWS. KildareCounty Council is waiting forthe scheme to appoint thewinning contractor so thatwork can commence.


23

Leinster Regionby Barry Deane & Joe Gallagher

The DB contract is finallycoming to a conclusion andall that remains is the processproving of Blackstairs GWStreatment plant and someminor snagging works. It is hoped when the finalaccount is agreed that thefinal tranche of the groupwater schemes’ contributionswill be collected and it is rec-ommended that schemes

budget for this over the com-ing months.Martin Garvin, ResidentEngineer. Carlow CountyCouncil finished up his posi-tion in June. Martin was REfor the civil works on theentire south Leinster DBOproject and had built up agreat working relationshipthe schemes. We wish himwell in the future.

Progress on the DBO bundle

Range of Services: □ Plant and Process Design,Installation and Maintenance

□ Pumping Systems

□ Chemical Dosing

□ Instrument Calibration

□ Plant Refurbishment

□ Telemetry Systems

Tel: +353 (0) 56 8834198Fax: +353 (0) 56 8834350Email: [email protected]

www.cantwell.ie


24

KilkennyA Quality Assurance site visitwas carried out on HighrathGWS in July. The scheme isvery well run by Éamon Kealyand records have been main-tained for several years now. There have been a number ofimprovement works in recenttimes and the drinking waterquality is excellent.Éamon hopes to install analarmed continuous chlorinemonitor shortly and a wateraudit is also being consid-ered.Highrath GWS would love toinstall meters on all connec-tions but, unfortunately,doesn’t have the funds to doso at present.

***A meeting of Kilkenny GWSFederation in July wasattended by representativesfrom the Seskin,Castlewarren, Highrath,Newtown, Ballymack,Listerlin, Dunbell no.2, andCaherlesk Coolagh groupwater schemes. Discussion centred on theadditional €250,000 fundingsecured by Kilkenny CountyCouncil under the RWP.

***The additional €250,000secured was also discussed atthe September meeting of theRural Water MonitoringCommittee. Senior Engineer, ÉamonMahon outlined a programmeof works to be completed byDecember and this wasapproved by the committee.Several schemes are upgrad-ing chlorine dosing pumps,some are installing alarmedcontinuous chlorine monitorsand others are installing UV. The council hopes to begin apilot online monitoring serv-ice over the coming months.If successful, schemes acrossthe county will have theoption to view all of theirwater quality data – including,in some cases, operationalwater quality data – using thecounty council online system.

LaoisA Quality Assurance site visitwas carried out on The HeathGWS in August. This is a model scheme, withexcellent water quality resultsand record keeping. The Heathhas been constantly improvingits distribution network overthe past 5 years and has nowreplaced all old mains andmetered every connection. The committee appointed apart-time caretaker over a yearago and this, in conjunctionwith the serious work carriedout by the committee, hasresulted in a one-third reduc-tion in daily water demand.

LouthTenders are being evaluatedfor the construction of newreservoirs and treatment facil-ities at Sheepgrange GWS. Itis expected that a contractorwill be appointed shortly.

***Ballymakenny GWS wateraudit has been completed, ashas the installation of meterson all its commercial connec-tions.A number of leaks have beenidentified and repaired,resulting in a decrease inaverage daily water demandfrom 1,350m3 to 990m3.

OffalyPhase 1 of the BallycommonGWS pipework contract iscompleted.Depending on the amount offunding available next year –the group hopes to progresswith phase two and the con-struction of a reservoir.

***Having secured funding thisyear for the construction of anew reservoir, Ballyboy GWShas been given the requiredplanning consent and now hasto progress the purchase of thesite and undertake fencing andsite preparation.

***Bracknagh GWS will com-plete Phase 2 of a distributionnetwork upgrade this year.This will help to reduce highlevels of unaccounted forwater on the network. A contractor has beenappointed and works arescheduled to begin on 4October, with completion bymid November.

***Work is progressing well onthe taking-in-charge ofDurrow GWS, a small schemebordering the TullamoreRegional Supply. Having experienced someminor water quality issues

(due to flooding), the taking-in-charge will be welcomedby the committee and mem-bers of the GWS.The upgrade includes the lay-ing of a 100mm main linkingthe Durrow network and theregional supply. This contract is due for com-pletion by mid October.

***Cadamstown GWS &Clareen GWS received fund-ing for works at their respec-tive sources. Fencing andother minor source protectionworks have been completedunder this contract.

***Tubber GWS is still awaitingword on the court case to dealwith an ongoing dispute overaccess to their main source.The GWS has incurred sub-stantial costs to date and hopesthat funding will be availablenext year to assist them insecuring their right to unre-stricted access.

***In mid August, BallinagarGWS held a very successfulopening of their new officeand upgraded wells.A feature on the history ofthe scheme and its progressin recent years was carried inthe Tullamore Tribune.

John Culleton, caretaker of The Heath GWS in County Laois. Since his appointment last year, John has beensuccessfully co-ordinating the scheme’s Quality Assurance programme.


25

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WexfordA progress report on the RuralWater Programme was circu-lated at the September meet-ing of Wexford Rural WaterMonitoring Committee.At the previous meeting thecommittee had decided towrite to the DoEHLG seek-ing extra funding for a num-ber of projects and thankfullyin July last the Departmentallocated an extra €450,000to the programme. Welcoming this extra alloca-tion, County CouncilEngineer, Colm Cunninghamoutlined that the money willenable the council to com-plete the takeover ofAskamore GWS and willallow most of the meteringcontract to be completed onBlackstairs GWS. The biggest issue for thecouncil was trying to get themoney spent by the end ofNovember, but every effortwill be made to draw downthe funding.

***

Ballymoney GWS is enteringthe final stages of beingtaken-in-charge by WexfordCounty Council. The scheme had applied fortake over some years ago, butunfortunately, at the time theGorey Regional WaterSupply Scheme was unableto take them in until certainworks had been completed. Thankfully, the county coun-cil will shortly be in a posi-tion to take the scheme incharge and the GWS com-mittee met recently to discusssome final issues prior to thetakeover.Ballymoney currently sup-plies water to over 200homes and they have beentreating the water themselvesfor the past 3 years.

***Process proving has still notbeen completed onBlackstairs GWS DBO treat-ment plant. After fluctuatingraw water quality last year, avariation was issued to thecontractors EPS Ltd to change

the process to a DAF plant.The plant has been construct-ed since early this year but,unfortunately, a TOC certifi-cate has still not been issuedas it has failed to successfullycomplete process proving. The contractors have been ableto remove high colour butexpereinced problems with pHlevels in the treated water. They have recently switchedto another coagulant which

appears to be working betterand it is hoped that this willaddress the situation.The GWS committee is anx-ious that a solution will soonbe forthcoming as their mem-bers are understandablybecoming frustrated with thelength of time it is taking tocommission the plant and thefact that they are still experi-encing high colour in theirdrinking water.

Blackstairs DBO treatment facilities. The GWS committee hopes thatcontinuing problems with process proving will be resolved soon.

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27

ClareDysart Toonagh GWS &Kilmaley Inagh GWS willstart the upgrading of theirDBO treatment plants inearly October. Both plants are being upgrad-ed to DAF facilities to caterfor occasionally high colourlevels in their respective lakesources. The existing filters provedunable to cope with the levelsof colour being experiencedand this caused problems forthe GWS in the treated waterbeing supplied to their mem-bers. Both plants will be by-passedfor the duration of the worksso members are beingadvised to prepare them-selves for poorer qualitywater throughout the con-struction period, as disinfec-tion will be the only treat-ment.

***Kilnaboy GWS has complet-ed upgrading works on itsnetwork. The north Clarescheme carried out a largeupgrade of its network a few

years ago, but part of theplanned upgrade works werenever completed due to diffi-culties with both the contrac-tor and the consultant engi-neer.Over the past year the GWShas employed a new consult-ant engineer to oversee theremaining works and thesehave now been completed,giving the scheme a completenew network. Kilnaboy GWS committeehas also installed chlorina-tion, following which a boilwater notice that was on thesupply for some years hasnow been lifted.

***Clare County Council is cur-rently looking at the largenumber of small schemes inthe county, with a view tosorting out all ‘orphanGWS’. They have a number ofschemes that they hope totake-in-charge next year,depending on funding.Fanore GWS is amongstthese.

***Taking-in-charge has recentlybeen completed on the fol-lowing schemes:Oughtnama, Ballycarroll,Dromelihy Westboy andMount Ivers.

***

Upgrade works in advance oftaking-in-charge have beencompleted on BallykealeGWS, while the retentionperiod has begun onBallymorris GWS and onLeitrim Shyan GWS.

CorkNorth Cork RWMC met inearly July to review spendingunder the RWP.The County Council receivedan allocation of €900,000towards taking-in-chargeworks and these were to com-mence in September.Amongst the schemes to beupgraded in advance of beingtaken-in-charge wereWaterpark GWS and KilcoranGWS and work on these wasto start soon.

***As only €150,000 wassecured towards GWSupgrades, this money wasspread across all of theschemes to allow each of themto complete small improve-ment works.These works include upgrad-ing of services on networksand the improvement of watertreatment facilities.

***Representatives of the sevengroup schemes in north Corkattended an information meet-ing in July. The meeting focused on theimportance of having a legalstructure in place and on thebenefits of reorganising as co-operatives.

***Downing GWS held a well-attended AGM in August. Thescheme which is located justoutside Kilworth in north Corksupplies water from a boredwell to about 40 households. The Downings committee hasrecently upgraded their pumphouse and installed an alarmedcontinuous chlorine monitorand pH correction, as well asimproving their chlorine dos-ing equipment. At the AGM the memberspresent decided to form a co-operative and to adopt theCharter of Rights &Responsibilities. It is hopedthat the co-op will be registeredin the coming weeks.

***

MunsterRegion

by Joe Gallagher & Barry Deane

The universal metering contract on Lissycasey GWS is completed, apartfrom substantial snagging items that have to be resolved.

Treatment infrastructure at Kilmaley-Inagh GWS is shortly to be upgraded with the installation of a new DAFfacility to address significant colour variations in the raw water.


28

Following a major upgradingover the past few years,Derrycreeveen GWS, BereIsland, has been approvedfunding to complete upgrad-ing on final section of theirmains. The committee hopes to com-plete the works over the com-ing months.At their AGM in August,members adopted a proposalfrom their committee to forma co-operative and to adoptthe Charter of Rights &ResponsibilitiesFurthermore, it was agreed toreveiw the pricing policy.Daily water demand hasdropped considerably inrecent years as the meters areread regularly by caretaker,John Mullins.

KerryThe Rural Water MonitoringCommittee had not met for anumber of years but, follow-ing its re-establishment inrecent months, a meeting was

held in in September. The re-establishment of the commit-tee was welcomed by all themembers present. County Council officials gavea report on the expenditure todate and addressed some ofthe problems and issues theywere experiencing.It is hoped now that the com-mittee has been re-establishedthat there will be regular meet-ing in the future.

LimerickConsumer meters are to beinstalled on 3 GWS as part ofthe advance works of the DBO– the consulting engineers arecurrently preparing tenderdocuments for Glenstal,Ballinvreena & Kilfinny &these should be advertisedshortly.

***Caherline Newtown GWSreceived funding to com-mence with critical mainsreplacement on their Scheme.These works started a few

weeks ago and are progressingvery well and are helpingreduce the water usage on theGWS.

***Ballyorgan GWS decided togo ahead with the entireupgrade of their GWSNetwork. The consulting engi-neers are working on the con-tract documents and theseworks should progress early in2011.

***Other works ongoing are theconnection of GreenhillsGWS to public mains, the firstphase has commenced andwill be completed by the endof the year. Phase two will commence in2011, but this will depend onavailability of funding. The signing of the contract isdue in the next few weeks inrealtion to upgrade works inadvance of the taking-in-charge of Cullane NorthGWS.

***

Newtown Clarina GWStakeover project will be ten-dered for within the next fewweeks, and the ShanagarryGWS taking in charge projectis to commence within thenext 3 weeks.

TipperaryKilrifth Kilmore GWS com-mittee members recently visit-ed Ardcrony GWS to see theirsource protection measures.Both schemes have a springsource and the KilrifthKilmore committee wants tobetter protect theirs from sur-face water intrusion and fromthe development of algae atthe intake. Ardcroney GWS cleared theirspring some years ago, built aretaining wall around it andcovered this with a galvanisedstructure. While the pool at the KilrifithKilmore spring is larger, thecommittee has since decidedto begin construction of a sim-ilar protective structure.

Above: As part of upgrading source protection measures at their own spring, Kilrifith Kilmore GWS committee members recently visited ArdcroneyGWS to look at their spring cover. Facing page: Dick Quinn and Gerry White of Lacka GWS, pictured during a recent QA site visit.

***Tipperary North Rural WaterMonitoring Committee metin September. Having received no moneyfor upgrading works underthis year’s RWP, the RWMCappealed to the Departmentfollowing its last meeting. Thankfully the Departmentresponded in July by allocat-ing €278,000 and the coun-cil has been busy since thenspending the money. Work has been ongoing witha number of schemes requir-ing an upgrade to chlorinedosing equipment, chlorinealarm monitors and theinstallation of UV. These works have now beencompleted on Ardcroney,Brittas, CastlecrannaFrolic/Carney, Graigue/Pouldine, Shalle and Toonagh.Other upgrades are plannedand the RWMC is satisfiedthat the majority of the fund-ing will be drawn downbefore the end of the year.

***A QA site visit took place onLacka GWS in July. Thiswell-run 40-house scheme,upgraded its chlorine dosingequipment and installed UVlast year. Caretaker and chairman DickQuinn and secretary GerryWhite are happy withprogress to date and hope to

complete universal meteringover the next few years.

***Brittas GWS had a QA sitevisit in August. This 30-house scheme has just com-pleted a major pumphouseupgrade. Water quality isexcellent and GWS organiserThomas Callanan is happywith the works completed.

The biggest problem is leak-age and the location of serv-ices following a road realign-ment in the area last year.Some service valves are verydifficult to access andincreasing leakage is drivingup the scheme’s runningcosts. The GWS is workingwith the county council toresolve these issues.


29

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30

CavanKildallon GWS has begunupgrade work recently. Thiswill include installation ofbulk meters and associatedtelemetry.

***Kill GWS recently completedinstallation of marker postsand plates on all connectionson the network. The schemeis currently getting quotes fora continuous chlorine resid-ual monitor on the networkand also intends to have thenetwork digitally mapped. Adetailed 12-month raw watersampling programme isongoing.

***Bunnoe GWS is also in theprocess of getting quotes fora continuous chlorine resid-

ual monitor on the networkand will also have its networkdigitally mapped.

***T. J. O’Connor & Associatesare currently carrying outdigital mapping onDernakesh GWS.

***Castlerahan MountnugentMunterconnaught (CMM)GWS is now fully opera-tional and the committeerecently completed trainingin their telemetry system aswell as in chlorine use andmonitoring. There are in excess of 700connections on the scheme,all of which are metered. In addition, there are 20 bulkmeters monitoring specificdistrict meter areas. Theseare proving invaluable fordetecting leaks and waterwastage. CMM is currently investigat-ing the feasibility of a 2kmextension to serve approxi-mately 20 houses at Maghera.

***For several months past,Corlough GWS has concen-trated on upgrade works atSralaghan, Swanlinbar, anarea high on CuilcaghMountain.Demolition of an existing8,000 gallon tank and con-struction of a 16,000 gallonreservoir was completed overa four-week period. This new reservoir will giveimproved pressure and conti-

nuity of supply to 30 mem-bers of the old SralaghanGWS which amalgamatedwith Corlough GWS someyears ago. Completion of these works isexpected in the comingweeks, when a four-milewater main will be fitted withadditional stop valves toallow greater monitoring offlow, as well as allowing iso-lation when leaks occur.

***

Ulster Region

by Jean Gibson & Brian MacDonald

The old 8,000 gallon tank that has been replaced during an upgrade of theSralaghan section of Corlough GWS.

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31

DonegalTownawilly GWS hasinstalled a 1-micron filter inaddition to its existing 10-micron filtration system, as ameans of dealing with occa-sional raw water colour vari-ations.As part of ongoing qualityassurance measures, thescheme has erected securefencing around its treatmentplant and reservoir and iscurrently drawing up detailedoperational checklists fol-lowing a recent QA inspec-tion.

***While planning permissionhas been secured for a badly-needed treatment facility andstorage tank on MeenaboolGWS, work has not com-menced as yet.The committee is anxious toproceed in the current calen-dar year, as funding is avail-able for the work under theRural Water Programme.

***Toraí GWS, supplying anisland community off thenorth west coast of Donegalwas recently visited byNFGWS development offi-cer for the county, BrianMacDonald.

MonaghanGlaslough/Tyholland GWSwater conservation project isongoing. Following the desk-top study, leak detection

experts were brought onboard for a number of weeks. Their report identified some30 leaks and repair work onthese is now underway. The leaks detected werespread across both the net-work and consumer side ofthe meter, with an almost50:50 ratio. Daily water demand on thescheme continues to drop,with a recent saving of300m3 down to an average1,080m3. It is hoped that fur-ther reductions will follow. The final water conservationreport will be presented tothe board shortly and it isexpected that funding pro-posals with be drafted forcapital network upgradeworks for 2011.

***Aughnashalvey GWS wateraudit is ongoing, in conjunc-tion with T. J. O’Connor &Associates, ConsultingEngineers. The desktop study and steptests have now been complet-ed and a number of leakswere identified. The bulk metering contracthas also begun with themeters now installed andlinked telemetry due to beinstalled shortly. Aughnashalvey GWS is see-ing the benefits already witha reduction in daily demandof 200m3/day achieved inrecent months.

Before and after pics at a Stranooden GWS reservoir site. Improvementshave been completed at all the scheme’s properties as part of QA.

Average daily demand isnow 980m3 and the manage-ment committee has set aninitial achievable target of800m3. As demand continues todecrease, the committee pre-dicts that they may have toomuch treated water storageand storage tanks may haveto be decommissioned. In addition to the ongoingworks, the scheme has beensetting up procedures forimplementing and monitor-ing their QA system and anumber of committee mem-bers have recently taken partin training for Colilert micro-biological testing. Committee member, TrevorDunwoody has been appoint-ed to co-ordinate implementa-tion of the QA procedures.

***Four pressure reducingvalves have been installed byMagheracloone GWS as partof preparatory works aheadof the installation of telemet-ric bulk meters.

***

In response to poor pressure inpart of its network,Stranooden GWS recentlyinstalled a booster station inthe affected area. The pump isinstalled in a steel containerand is operated by a generator. This has been a great successand has resulted in animproved supply to some 75members in the area.

***Truagh GWS has commis-sioned a desk-top hydro-geo-logical study on its newgroundwater supply and thereport is due to be completedin the coming weeks.

***Churchill/Oram GWS hascompleted a water conserva-tion initiative, involving theinstallation of 8 new bulkmeters and also loggers on anumber of existing bulkmeters. All are linked into atelemetry system. GWS man-ager, Deirdre Davis reportsthat excessive demand isalready evident in sections onthe network and the searchfor leaks is ongoing.Pádraig Ó Baoill (Cathaoirleach) agus Bridget Nic Gairbheith

(Banisteoir) Grúipscéim Uisce Oileán Thoraí.


32

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