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Future of Irish Water Services. IBEC Conference – 10 th October 2012. Presented by Mr Tom Barry, County Manager, Carlow County Council. Overview of Water Services in Ireland. 34 Water Authorities 950 Treatment Plants 25, 000 kms of pipe network 1 Million domestic consumers
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Future of Irish Water Services IBEC Conference – 10th October 2012 Presented by Mr Tom Barry, County Manager, Carlow County Council
Overview of Water Services in Ireland • 34 Water Authorities • 950 Treatment Plants • 25, 000 kms of pipe network • 1 Million domestic consumers • 160,000 commercial consumers
Current Financial Model • Operation and Maintenance Costs € 712m (2012) • Commercial Water Income €259m • Local Government Sources €453m • Capital Investment 2000-2009 €4.6bn • 2011 €435m • 2012 €371m • 2014 €296m
Delivery of Water Services • Reduction in Local Authority Staffing • 2008 37,243 • 2012 (Feb) 29,000 • Water Services Staffing 15% approx • Public Private Partnership Schemes
Key Drivers of Reform • EU | IMF | ECB Agreement • Introduction of Water Charges
Major Reform Issue for Local Government • Water ..... an essential service • Link with other services • - Land use planning • - Future economic development • - Emergency responses to severe weather • - Fire service • - Surface water drainage • - Transfer of assets of €11.2bn
Benefits of a Public Utility Model • Build on strengths of the existing system • Develop a sustainable financial model • Lever additional funding for investment
Importance of Transitional Arrangements • Continuity of operation • Build a ‘fit for purpose’ public utility • Local Authority role • Department role
Irish Water – Partnership with Local Authorities • Planned exit of Local Authorities • New inter-dependencies • - Emergency management • - Fire protection • - Planning and development • - Environment regulation • - Interface with the elected members at local level
Thank You Presented by Mr Tom Barry, County Manager, Carlow County Council