Sinead Higgins

1. Sinead Higgins National Federation of Group Water Schemes

2. Introduction • NFGWS • Background • DBO and Bundling • Update on Bundles • Rainwater Harvesting Project • Source Protection Project

3. National Federation of GWS • Representative and negotiating body for Group Water Schemes • Set up in 1997/98 • Direct input into the development and implementation of the Rural Water Programme • Successful in negotiating increased capital and operational grant aid for the rural water sector • Network of staff available to assist individual Group Water Schemes • Involved in the training of GWS operators and boards of directors • ‘Voice’ for GWS at local and national level..

4. NFGWS • Board of Management • Co Federations • Offices – Monaghan, Tuam, Tullamore and Kiltimagh • Staff – 10 • Advice and assistance to ALL GWS • www.nfgws.ie • Rural Water News – Quarterly publication

5. Background • Rural Water Programme • Find solutions to water quality problems on GWS • National Rural Water Monitoring Cttee • Local Rural Water Monitoring Cttee • Preparation of strategic plan • ‘Partnership’ – DoEHLG, LAs, NFGWS, GWS and other rural organisations • Regular meetings and agreement on work programme during the year • Financial update on priority GWS – ESSENTIAL!

6. Legislation • Water Services Bill • Group Water Schemes will require a licence • Quality Drinking Water • Quality Management • Quality Customer Service • LAs will be obliged to take action on GWS failing to provide quality drinking water • Long term and sustainable solutions necessary for all GWS under remit of Drinking Water Directive

7. Long Term Solutions • Connection to Public Water Supply • Takeover by Local Authority • Installation of treatment by means of • Design Build and Operate (DBO) – stand alone • DBO – amalgamation • Disinfection (??) • Solutions determined by • Cost • Engineering principles • Timescale • Solutions implemented at the very earliest possible date!!

8. DBO and Bundling

9. Design Build and Operate • Contractor engaged to • Design the solution (treatment plant) • Build the treatment plant • Operate and Maintain (O&M) the treatment plant for 20 years Bundling • A number of treatment plant solutions tendered as part of one contract – separate contracts for O&M Phase • Economy of scale • Larger, established contractors • Better value for money • National policy

10. DBO Route • GWS sign up to DBO and bundle formed • Clients Rep prepares report on each GWS • Quality of water • Design demand in 2025 • UFW • Yield of Source • Possible solutions • Site investigation and acquisition • Advance works contracts • Reservoirs, access roads, metering, critical mains replacement etc • Procurement of DBO Contractor • Contractor appointed to build plants • Plants commissioned – O&M Phase commences..

11. DBO Bundles to date

12. DBO Bundles to date

13. Costs of DBO *Subsidy of €196 payable per domestic connection

14. Keeping foot on pedal… • Monthly DBO steering groups • Technical cttee meetings in advance • Resolve important issues and stumbling blocks!!! • Effective communication between partners to deal with issues • Ongoing consultation with GWS • Communication with GWS members • Newsletters for cttees • Feature in local papers, Co Mayo • Delivery of ESB on schedule • Leakage Control Strategies implemented • Rationalisation of neighbouring GWS – to ensure sustainability

15. Leakage Strategies • Leakage Control Infrastructure • Metering of all connections • Bulk meters • Telemetry • PRVs • ‘On the Ground’ Support from LA / Clients Rep • Eg Rinn Killeeneen GWS, Co Galway • 12 Km of pipework, divided into 7 sections by Ryan Hanley • UFW • 13% ie 19m3 on distribution network AND • 87% on consumer side • Training course developed - WSNTG

16. Rationalisation of GWS • Key to survival of many GWS • Spreading costs and sharing resources • Small GWS especially in the West • Mayo DBO 2 16 GWS 6 new entities • Galway DBO 2 35 GWS 11 new entities • eg 50% of GWS less than 50 houses….. Example • Co Galway - Cappataggle District Community GWS Co-op Ltd • 9 GWS amalgamated on 31 May 2006 • 8 sources abandoned • 4 Limited Co, 2 Co-ops and 4 Trusts dissolved • New co-op formed • Each GWS agrees to bring their network up to standard • Financial evaluation of resources to ensure equity

17. Mayo DBO 2

18. Galway DBO 2

19. O&M Phase • Water audit of each GWS • Liaison person in every GWS • PMS training course • Liaison Monitoring Cttee • Regular meetings • Reports from Private Service Provider (PSP) • Address problems • Validation Office, Monaghan

20. Ongoing Projects Under NRWMC

21. Rainwater Harvesting • Dublin Institute of Technology acting as lead authority - Dr. Sean O Hogáin and 3 research students • Investigate options available to domestic/agricultural users to reduce water wastage and utilise other sources, other than mains water • Typical house – 80% of water used for toilet flushing, showering and clothes washing • Domestic Project – Ballinabranagh GWS, Co Carlow • Rainwater harvester installed for house • Water meters fitted on houses • Water conservation devices fitted • Agricultural Project – farm in Co Meath • rainwater from farm buildings will be collected, filtered and pumped to storage tanks

22. Source Protection • NRWMC initiated National Pilot Project • Will impact on all privately sourced schemes and O&M volumetric charges • Churchill / Oram GWS, Co. Monaghan • National Centre for Freshwater Studies established at DKIT – Dr S Linnane and Dr B Brennan • 3 Postgraduate Students have been appointed • Detailed study of the Churchill/Oram catchment now under way • Widespread community involvement all stakeholders • Solutions will be replicated nationally

23. Conclusions • Outstanding DBO Bundles • Get to tender at earliest date • Add ons to existing DBO Bundles • GWS on Annex 14 list • Keep pedal to the floor….. • Partnership approach • Draw down funding as time is running out.. • Issue of Finesfor Ireland Resurfacing !

24. What is Partnership? • Partnership = Respect + Trust

25. Thank you for your attention.. www.nfgws.ie sinead@nfgws.ie