Bord na Móna - Source Issue 9 - (Page 12)
IRIsh WATeR-
BoRD nA MónA Is pRepARIng A Response to A Recent RepoRt RecoMMenDIng tHAt IRelAnD’s puBlIc WAteR utIlIty, IRIsH WAteR, Be set up As A neW coMpAny
The fuTuRe
that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) become the environmental and technical regulator for Irish Water as well as group water schemes which are currently regulated by the local authorities. A SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis of the existing services has been carried out and highlights certain deficiencies, such as: • Fragmented leadership and co-ordination with a broad range of influencing stakeholders • Difficulties in exploiting economies of scale given the current 34 county boundary structure • Difficulties in implementing policies and projects of national importance • An ageing and poor quality network • Historical under-investment in water services PwC is recommending that water services be delivered via five River Basin Districts with co-ordination/support from Irish Water central services. The revenue from the planned introduction of domestic water charges, based on metered consumption, coupled with current nondomestic water charges will fund the operational costs associated with water services (€700 million) as well as enable funding for capital works (€500 million per year). It is proposed that domestic water meters are installed in advance of household billing and the installation of over one million meters in a
T
he first phase of the independent assessment of how water services might best be delivered into the future has been published by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). Having assessed best international practice, pwc is recommending the establishment of a new public water utility. It reviewed the relative advantages and disadvantages of assigning the role of Irish Water to an existing state agency. It has stated that Irish Water should be established as a separate company in its own right. Bord na Móna is of a different view and feels that it can add significantly to the establishment of the public water utility. The transition from the current services delivery model to the proposed single utility model is a very challenging task, requiring exceptional and experienced, trusted leadership that will ensure uninterrupted customer service, the buy-in of all stakeholders as well as the early winning of confidence in the capital markets, which will be the sources of the necessary funds for future water infrastructure investment. Bord na Móna will be presenting a strong business case for it to be assigned the role of Irish Water. PwC is also recommending the establishment of a public water utility and that the role of the Commission for Energy Regulation is expanded to include water regulation. It also recommends
very short time period will be a key task assigned to Irish Water.
Midlands Water Project
With regard to the Midlands Water project, Dublin city council (Dcc) has recruited the necessary resources to prepare for the engagement of consultants to carry out Phase 2 of the planning process now that phase 1 - the strategic environmental Assessment - has been completed and published. Dcc is having pre-consultation meetings with both An Bord Pleanála and the EPA in order to scope the planning application process. Department of environment approval is required to progress with the procurement of consultants. Bord na Móna, however, has proceeded to prepare elements of the planning application requirements and is undertaking an environmental assessment of the habitats and botanical aspects of the garrryhinch site. there is widespread acceptance of the need for this new water source project and it will most likely get prioritisation once decisions around Irish Water are made.
InfoRMATIon
To read the PwC report on water services, log on to www.environ.ie
S
12 | Source Spring 2012
http://www.environ.ie
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Bord na Móna - Source Issue 9
Bord na Móna - Source Issue 9
Contents
A round-up of news from around the company
Climate Change
Team Mates
Irish Water: The Future
Saving Energy
Natural World
Product Shot
A Man for all Seasons
Project Update
Heritage Corner
Nationwide
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