Improvements To Drinking Water Quality In Rural County Limerick

A major step has been taken towards resolving drinking water quality issues for 2,300 households in County Limerick following the rollout of a major Design Build Operate (DBO) project.

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Mr. John Gormley, T.D., today officially marked the completion of the project at a ceremony held in the Heritage Centre at Lough Gur. The €6 million project included a comprehensive programme of works on 18 privately sourced group water supply schemes across the county. The Lough Gur Group Water Scheme is the biggest scheme involved in the DBO project serving a total of 555 domestic houses, 120 farms and 61 other properties, including land and commercial/amenity activities.

The 17 other group schemes which have benefited from the project include: Baggottstown, Ballinvreena, Ballybricken, Ballyduff, Ballyorgan, Bulgaden, Newtown/Caherline, Cappagh, Carnane, Coshma/Killeen, Croagh/Farrendonnelly, Glenroe, Glenstal, Granagh, Griston, Kileedy and Kilfinny.

“The completion of this DBO project ensures that County Limerick remains to the fore in the national drive to eliminate sub-standard rural water supplies”, stated Councillor Kevin Sheahan, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council. He explained, “As far back as 1998, the EPA highlighted difficulties with the quality of privately owned group water schemes across the country. Since then considerable time and resources has been targeted at remedying deficiencies in the group water schemes.”

Commenting on the contribution of Group Water Scheme personnel, the Cathaoirleach said, “The headway made in dealing with substandard water supplies has only been possible through their hard work, dedication and spirit of partnership. I would particularly like to acknowledge the contribution of group scheme activists across County Limerick who, for many years, have worked tirelessly for the betterment of their neighbours and communities.”

According to Mr. Paul Crowe, Director, Transportation & Water Services, Limerick County Council, “I am delighted to see that the implementation of the rural water programme in Limerick has been successful thanks to the vibrant partnership approach between the group sector and the local authority working together to achieve a common objective.” “I wish to congratulate everybody involved in the delivery of this project for their steadfast commitment, the eighteen groups involved, the DBO Steering Group, Staff of the Rural Water Programme with Limerick County Council, the National Federation of Group Water Schemes and consultants T.J. O’Connor & Partners”, concluded Mr. Crowe.

The contract for the construction and long-term operation of water abstraction and treatment facilities was awarded to Electrical & Pump Services Ltd. (EPS) Mallow, Co. Cork. Works carried out included the provision of treatment plants, kiosks, refurbishment of existing pump houses, construction of concrete tanks, drilling of new source boreholes, and all associated site works and landscaping.

Along with the main DBO works of abstraction and treatment facilities construction by EPS, enabling works were carried out on a number of schemes for water conservation purposes. The works involved the refurbishment of critical sections of defective watermains on networks together with the installation of Universal Metering of connections to ensure that customers are vigilant in their water usage. A number of new concrete reservoirs are currently being built on three schemes.

Minister Gormley Officially Opens Limerick County Council Offices & Library Headquarters

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, John Gormley, T.D., today officially opened Limerick County Council’s newest administrative building and office complex at Lissanalta House in Dooradoyle.

The state of the art building accommodates six key local authority services, which were previously based at separate locations throughout County Limerick. They include the Mid West National Road Design Office, Motor Taxation Office, Regional Waste Management Office, Environment Laboratory and new Limerick County Library Headquarters, which is complemented by one of Ireland’s most comprehensive local studies centres.

Speaking at today’s official opening ceremony, Councillor Kevin Sheahan, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council, welcomed the relocation of six separate services to one central location. “Limerick County Council is acutely aware of the need to deliver a modern and comprehensive system of local government. Services must be accessible and responsive to the changing needs of the people they serve, as typified by what has occurred at Lissanalta House”, he added.

One of the outstanding features of the new building designed by local architects Healy & Partners, is the promotion of modern energy design solutions. Numerous environmentally friendly installations have been incorporated including solar panels that provide 70% of domestic hot water to the building, high levels of fabric insulation that reduce energy consumption and natural ventilation to all offices.

Already, the building has won a National Award from Gypsum Industries for the innovative use of plasterboard in ceiling design. Meanwhile, the Council has confirmed that up to 15% of the buildings’ total electricity needs will be generated by a Photovoltaic (PV) solar electric power system, to be installed over the coming weeks.

Commenting on the new facility, Mr. Ned Gleeson, Limerick County Manager, stated, “Limerick County Council is committed to meeting the needs and expectations of citizens and the business community. By centralising six principal services, the Council has established a one-stop shop for its customers in these key service areas.”

He continued, “County Limerick is now fortunate to have what must be one of the most modern and technically best-equipped library headquarters in the country. This 45,000 sq ft development is not only a significant moment for the Council, but a milestone in the delivery of public services in this county.”

Supporting County Limerick’s 25 Branch Library network and 116 primary schools, the Library Headquarters also features a Limerick Studies department that provides access to the county’s historical and archival records.

“As our society modernises and develops, we acquire an increased sense of our past and where we came from”, explained Damien Brady, Limerick County Librarian. He added, “This reference library and research centre is dedicated to the collection of material on all aspects of County Limerick, something I am sure will attract and engage all members of the local community, as well as academics from near and far. The facility brings together the written local history and archival records of County Limerick, as well as being home to the Limerick Family Ancestry service. Much of the material available at the Limerick Studies department has also been digitised and published online”

Among the other offices located at Lissanalta House is the Mid-West National Road Design Office, whose function it is to design and supervise roads construction of new National Roads in Limerick County, Limerick City, North Tipperary and parts of Clare. It is currently overseeing the construction of the Nenagh-Limerick dual carriageway and the EUR500m Limerick Tunnel, one of the largest infrastructural projects in the State.

The Limerick County Enterprise Board supports a range of new and existing small businesses. The supports vary from providing an initial ‘First Stop Shop’ service for information, advice, training and mentoring to financial supports. The Regional Waste Management Office represents the four local authorities in Limerick City and County, Kerry and Clare. Among its functions is to co-ordinate the implementation of the Regional Waste Management plan.

The Motor Taxation Office is responsible for a wide range of activities and services such as issuing of vehicle and driving licenses. The Environmental Laboratory is the water-testing laboratory for County Limerick. It undertakes tests of drinking water, river water, sewage treatment plants and groundwater to the various E.U. Legislation Standards.