Irish Water Launch Consultation On Improving Water Supplies In Eastern Area

A controversial pipeline from the River Shannon remains part of plans to improve drinking water supplies in the Greater Dublin Area and Midlands.

A public consultation on providing a more secure and reliable supply over the next 25 years got underway today.

Irish Water says improvements are needed to supply drinking water to the 2.5 million people living in the eastern and midlands region – with the population expected to grow by 25% by 2044.

The utility says they looked at 1,1001 options – including pumping 300 million litres of water a day from the River Shannon.

A number of groups including environmental organisations and affected landowners have objected to pipeline – that’s estimated to cost 1.3 billion euro.

The plan includes reducing leakage rates from 38% to 22% by 2033 and the development of four new Water Treatment Plants.