The Status of Water Services in County GalwayThe Status of Water Services in County Galway

A presentation to the Joint Committee on A presentation to the Joint Committee on Environment, Transport, Culture and GaeltachtEnvironment, Transport, Culture and Gaeltacht

2727thth September 2011 September 2011

Our Waters as a Resource for All

• Water Framework Directive

– New approach to the management of water resources from Catchment to Tap

– Maintain or restore quality to High or Good status

– Prepare and Implement Catchment or River Basin District plans

Enabling Legislation

• Surface and Groundwater RegulationsDetermine minimum standards

• Drinking Water RegulationsRegulate the quality of Drinking Water

• Wastewater Discharge RegulationsLicence Municipal Wastewater Discharges

Drinking Water Regulations• A Public Health Priority

• Multiplicity of Supplies many with inadequate treatment44 of which 30+ in need of improvement

• Concerted effort to upgrade

Remedial Action Programme nearing completionEstimated final cost €15m County GalwayCompliance Improvement 100% (E Coli) 2010

Water safety plans

• Group Water Schemes

Wastewater Discharge Regulations• An Environmental Priority

Impact on sensitive and other waters

• Significant number of plants many outdated and above capacity30 of which 16 are in need of upgrade

• Licensing by EPALicence 1 Cert of Authorisation 5 to date

• How to address deficienciesA Remedial Action Programme to mirror the Water RAL

Small Sewerage schemes

Water conservationWater conservation

• 2005:Total production :65k m3/d 2005:Total production :65k m3/d

:UFW:36k m3/d (55%):UFW:36k m3/d (55%)

• 2008:Total production :63k m3/d 2008:Total production :63k m3/d

:UFW:30k m3/d (48%):UFW:30k m3/d (48%)

• 2011:Total production :59k m3/d 2011:Total production :59k m3/d

:UFW:26k m3/d (44%):UFW:26k m3/d (44%)

• Leak Repairs: 3750 detectedLeak Repairs: 3750 detected

:2250 public main :2250 public main

:1500 private supply:1500 private supply

Unaccounted For Water - Unaccounted For Water - TrendTrend

Total Outflow-V-UFW

591236277464745

3576155% 30083

48% 2615044%

0

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

60000

70000

Feb-05 Jul-06 Nov-07 Mar-09 Aug-10 Dec-11

Date

Vo

lum

e

Total UFW(m3)

Water Services Investment Programme• A Public Health, Environmental And Economic Priority!

• Pace of delivery needs acceleration10 schemes to start construction by 2012

• Affordability IssueOverall cost €95.9m – local contribution €25-30m estimated (excl. RAL and Water Conservation)

• Borrowing Capacity Limited€34m borrowed already for current commitments

Financial Implications• Development Levies Exhausted

€22m applied in period 2005-2010 • Capital Borrowing Capacity

€27m borrowed 2009-2010 €32m likely to be required 2011-2012

Repayment periods extended

• Operational Costs Constantly IncreasingImpact of new and upgraded schemes, energyNetwork expansion through group scheme taking in charge

Efficiencies achieved in energy usage and chemical costs.

• Revenue DiminishingChallenging economic climate

Revenue Budgetary trend

Budget 2008 2009 2010 2011

O &M

Water €11,44m €13,97m €14,00m €13,12m

Waste Water

€4,22m €4,66m €6,42m €5,46m

Total €15,67m €18,62m €20,42m €18,59m

Total Budget

€160m €146m €149m €144m

% of total budget

9.8% 12.8% 13.7% 13.0%

Revenue Budgetary Trend

Local Government Fund

Allocation Change Cumulative2008 to 2011

Cumulative2008 to 2011

2008 €40.60m

2009 €36.88m - 9%

2010 €36.09m - 2%

2011 €32.84m - 9% - €7.76m -19%

National Water Pricing Policy

Charge per M3 2008 2009 2010 2011 Water Pricing Policy Cost 2011

Water 0.89 1.00 1.05 1.10 1.49Waste Water 0.61 1.07 1.12 1.18 1.58Consolidated 1.50 2.07 2.17 2.28 3.07

Conclusion

• Streamline the process for delivery of water services infrastructureto promote public health, improve environmental quality and facilitate economic development

• Revise funding mechanism for capital investmentto ensure affordability of water services projects

• Focus on compliance, conservation and economic development potentialto ensure priorities are met

• An appropriate funding stream to meet the increasing cost of water services provision