THE FLOODS last month may have prompted the knee-jerk response that Ireland has a surfeit of water, so why should the Government charge for it?
It must be recognised, however, that treating water for human consumption is an expensive business and that much of the water we use is wasted – primarily because it is perceived as a “free” resource. Just as many people discovered the value of recycling when charges were imposed on household waste, charges for water consumption should – at least in theory – provide a real incentive for conservation, in line with a broader definition of the “polluter pays” principle.
But what the Government is planning to do is to impose a flat-rate levy on all households, irrespective of whether they use water wisely or profligately. Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan argues that this is necessary in the short term to raise extra revenue pending the installation of water meters in every one of Ireland’s 1.4 million homes – a mammoth task that could take several years. It is also likely to run into opposition from those who see water charges as a form of “double taxation”; the Socialist Party has pledged to lead a “mass campaign of civil disobedience” against any water charges and, one may presume, the installation of meters.
An assessment of our water sector by PricewaterhouseCoopers found that there were no consistent policies, no standards, no consumer protection and no economic regulation as well as fragmented leadership, poor co-ordination and duplication of management. But it also highlighted some strengths, notably the fact that local authorities are accountable, close to their consumer base and can mobilise resources in time of need. One wonders what the Government’s plan to replace them with a central body, Irish Water, will mean in terms of rapid response to local emergencies.
Writing in The Irish Times last August, the ESRI’s Richard Tol argued correctly that a flat water charge would be unfair and, once introduced, it “may be with us for a long time”. Rather than relying on Irish Water, “a company that does not yet exist”, to oversee the installation of water meters at an overall cost of more than €1 billion, Tol made a modest proposal that householders could have meters installed much more cheaply themselves and recoup their investment by getting vouchers for free water.
Given the parlous state of the public finances, this proposal is surely worth considering.
Irish Times
www.bpsplanningconsultants.ie
Showing posts with label water and planning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label water and planning. Show all posts
Wednesday, 9 November 2011
Wednesday, 19 August 2009
Quality of water off Irish coast improves
WATER QUALITY in Irish coastal areas and estuaries is showing significant improvement, according to a British scientific journal.
A report for the Marine Pollution Bulletin by three scientists attached to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that dissolved oxygen conditions in a number of estuaries “continue to improve”.
This is “probably” due to more extensive municipal waste-water treatment, the authors, Shane O’Boyle, Georgina McDermott and Robert Wilkes, say.
They single out Castletown estuary in Dundalk, the Lee estuary and Lough Mahon in Cork city and the Liffey estuary in Dublin as showing the benefits of such treatment.
The survey of 95 areas around the coast from Lough Swilly in Donegal to Dundalk bay represents “the most comprehensive overview to date” of oxygen conditions in Irish estuarine and nearshore coastal waters, the authors say.
Testing at 533 monitoring stations was conducted over four years between 2003 and 2007.
Of the 95 water bodies surveyed, 85 had sufficient level of oxygen to support aquatic life. These 85 corresponded to a surface area of 3,125sq km.
Some 10 areas, representing a surface area of just over 20 sq km, were found to be deficient in oxygen but were still able to support aquatic life. No evidence of hypoxia or anoxia was found by the team.
This contrasts with a global increase in seasonally-persistent hypoxic zones due to declining dissolved oxygen levels associated with coastal pollution.
The authors challenge a report published in the US journal Science last year which claimed that coastal pollution had created 20 “dead zones” or hypoxic areas around the Irish coast.
That assessment, which relied on data from the Ospar Commission, the northeast Atlantic marine environment body, is “in no way supported by the observations presented here”, the Marine Pollution Bulletin contributors state.
Improved waste-water treatment, licensing of industrial emissions and closure of older more polluting industries has had a positive impact, the authors say.
Over 80 per cent of discharges in 2006 received secondary treatment at least, according to the EPA, compared to only 21 per cent of discharges between 2000 and 2001.
However, they also note that another report in 2006 noted that a quarter of discharges to Irish surface waters from agglomerations with a population of 500 people or over received no treatment or only “very basic” treatment.
They predict that the situation is “expected to improve significantly”, and oxygen deficiency may be eliminated altogether from the coast as a result of measures associated with the EU nitrate and urban waste-water treatment directives, and the Water Framework directive.
The study has been welcomed by Dr Brendan O’Connor, director of Aqua-fact, a Galway-based environmental consultancy.
“This is a very comprehensive factual study,” he told The Irish Times .
“Ireland could be the envy of many highly-industrialised countries if we continue in this direction, and we just have to be watchful and ensure we continue to implement legislation and support regular monitoring.
“If we can also improve our freshwater quality we should see great benefits with our groundwater supplies – groundwater being our ‘oil’ resource,” Dr O’Connor says.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
A report for the Marine Pollution Bulletin by three scientists attached to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that dissolved oxygen conditions in a number of estuaries “continue to improve”.
This is “probably” due to more extensive municipal waste-water treatment, the authors, Shane O’Boyle, Georgina McDermott and Robert Wilkes, say.
They single out Castletown estuary in Dundalk, the Lee estuary and Lough Mahon in Cork city and the Liffey estuary in Dublin as showing the benefits of such treatment.
The survey of 95 areas around the coast from Lough Swilly in Donegal to Dundalk bay represents “the most comprehensive overview to date” of oxygen conditions in Irish estuarine and nearshore coastal waters, the authors say.
Testing at 533 monitoring stations was conducted over four years between 2003 and 2007.
Of the 95 water bodies surveyed, 85 had sufficient level of oxygen to support aquatic life. These 85 corresponded to a surface area of 3,125sq km.
Some 10 areas, representing a surface area of just over 20 sq km, were found to be deficient in oxygen but were still able to support aquatic life. No evidence of hypoxia or anoxia was found by the team.
This contrasts with a global increase in seasonally-persistent hypoxic zones due to declining dissolved oxygen levels associated with coastal pollution.
The authors challenge a report published in the US journal Science last year which claimed that coastal pollution had created 20 “dead zones” or hypoxic areas around the Irish coast.
That assessment, which relied on data from the Ospar Commission, the northeast Atlantic marine environment body, is “in no way supported by the observations presented here”, the Marine Pollution Bulletin contributors state.
Improved waste-water treatment, licensing of industrial emissions and closure of older more polluting industries has had a positive impact, the authors say.
Over 80 per cent of discharges in 2006 received secondary treatment at least, according to the EPA, compared to only 21 per cent of discharges between 2000 and 2001.
However, they also note that another report in 2006 noted that a quarter of discharges to Irish surface waters from agglomerations with a population of 500 people or over received no treatment or only “very basic” treatment.
They predict that the situation is “expected to improve significantly”, and oxygen deficiency may be eliminated altogether from the coast as a result of measures associated with the EU nitrate and urban waste-water treatment directives, and the Water Framework directive.
The study has been welcomed by Dr Brendan O’Connor, director of Aqua-fact, a Galway-based environmental consultancy.
“This is a very comprehensive factual study,” he told The Irish Times .
“Ireland could be the envy of many highly-industrialised countries if we continue in this direction, and we just have to be watchful and ensure we continue to implement legislation and support regular monitoring.
“If we can also improve our freshwater quality we should see great benefits with our groundwater supplies – groundwater being our ‘oil’ resource,” Dr O’Connor says.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Monday, 17 September 2007
It's back to boiling water as e-coli strikes supplies
Just when they thought it was safe to try the water again . . . householders in Galway city's biggest suburb were reeling last night after being told once more that they could not use the tap water.
A 'water boil' notice was put in place after it was confirmed that traces of e-coli were found in the public supply in Knocknacarra.
The area has a population of 15,000 and, for the umpteenth time this year, most were traipsing to local supermarkets last night to stock up once again on bottled water.
Galway City Council issued the alert after tests revealed the presence of e-coli in the system.
And while the latest infection has nothing to do with the cryptosporidium outbreak which had the entire city boiling water for five months earlier this year, the precautionary notice was immediately issued.
Director of services with Galway City Council, Ciaran Hayes said that the problem appeared to have been caused by work being carried out by the Council on the water line in the Knocknacarra area.
Mr Hayes said: "As a result of the sampling that we undertake routinely in the area, we picked up a high reading for e-coli in the Knocknacarra area.
"What we did immediately was we flushed out the system and carried out remedial works. We injected additional chlorine and so on into the system."
He added: "We have since taken samples again and all of those samples are now clear. But we have consulted with the HSE in this matter and it has been decided on a precautionary basis to introduce a 'water boil' notice for a large part of the area".
Mr Hayes added that he expected that the notice would only be "in the short term".
But local councillor, Padraig Conneely said that it was only a matter of weeks since the people of Galway had emerged from five months of boiling water as a result of the cryptosporidium outbreak in the city. He described the latest development as "astounding".
"People were only starting to feel safe drinking the water again and now they are told that it is again contaminated. It is just not acceptable. I can't believe that the necessary precautions were not taken to ensure that the water would not be contaminated," he said.
Irish Independent
A 'water boil' notice was put in place after it was confirmed that traces of e-coli were found in the public supply in Knocknacarra.
The area has a population of 15,000 and, for the umpteenth time this year, most were traipsing to local supermarkets last night to stock up once again on bottled water.
Galway City Council issued the alert after tests revealed the presence of e-coli in the system.
And while the latest infection has nothing to do with the cryptosporidium outbreak which had the entire city boiling water for five months earlier this year, the precautionary notice was immediately issued.
Director of services with Galway City Council, Ciaran Hayes said that the problem appeared to have been caused by work being carried out by the Council on the water line in the Knocknacarra area.
Mr Hayes said: "As a result of the sampling that we undertake routinely in the area, we picked up a high reading for e-coli in the Knocknacarra area.
"What we did immediately was we flushed out the system and carried out remedial works. We injected additional chlorine and so on into the system."
He added: "We have since taken samples again and all of those samples are now clear. But we have consulted with the HSE in this matter and it has been decided on a precautionary basis to introduce a 'water boil' notice for a large part of the area".
Mr Hayes added that he expected that the notice would only be "in the short term".
But local councillor, Padraig Conneely said that it was only a matter of weeks since the people of Galway had emerged from five months of boiling water as a result of the cryptosporidium outbreak in the city. He described the latest development as "astounding".
"People were only starting to feel safe drinking the water again and now they are told that it is again contaminated. It is just not acceptable. I can't believe that the necessary precautions were not taken to ensure that the water would not be contaminated," he said.
Irish Independent
Tuesday, 21 August 2007
We'll drink to that . . . cheers and fears as water crisis finally over
ANOTHER contaminated tap water crisis could break out on the same scale as the deadly Galway outbreak which finally ended yesterday. The Environmental Protection Agency last night issued a warning to all local authorities that they had to provide safe drinking water.
Gerard O'Leary, EPA programme manager, said the agency had directed Galway city council to install an ultraviolet light disinfection system at the Terryland New plant. This system provides an effective barrier to cryptosporidium entering the drinking water supply.
"The cryptosporidium contamination incident in Galway city, and more recently in Clonmel, is a timely reminder to all local authorities of the importance of both the need for source protection and provision of adequate treatment facilities," said the EPA chief.
The culprits behind the crisis which affected 90,000 people and left hundreds very ill escaped scot free, it was also revealed yesterday.
Five months later, and at a cost of millions in lost tourism revenue, the green light was finally given for householders to drink their water in Galway.
Officials suspect septic tanks belonging to householders were to blame for polluting Lough Corrib from which the water is drawn.
But yesterday they admitted: "It is unlikely that a point source or sources of the outbreak will ever be identified."
Politicians were furious that the authorities were unable to track down the cause of the contamination.
They warned that a similar outbreak could easily happen as other tap water supplies nationwide are also polluted.
As much as 30pc of groundwater sources from which tap water is abstracted and treated contains cryptosporidium and e-coli bugs which can be fatal in elderly or those with poor immune systems.
The EU is threatening to take Ireland to court for not forcing local authorities to provide safe drinking water around the country.
HSE officials and city and county engineers in Galway confirmed yesterday they are satisfied that water supplies no longer need to be boiled and are drinkable.
Up to 90,000 people have been forced to either boil water before use or buy bottled supplies since the outbreak of cryptosporidium in March.
The HSE yesterday said people could now use tap water in Galway for drinking, food preparation, ice making and teeth brushing without first boiling it, unless they are immuno-compromised and have had specific advice from their family doctor.
The decision follows the installation, testing and commissioning of an ultraviolet light disinfection system at the Terryland water treatment plant where water is subjected to three separate treatment processes.
These are chemical treatment, full filtration and ultra violet disinfection.
Barrier
The UV disinfection is the largest of its kind in the country and provides an additional barrier against cryptosporidium.
The old Terryland water treatment plant is no longer in use and additional water is supplied to Galway City from Galway County Council's Luimnagh water treatment plant.
Galway City Council and Galway County Council have set up a helpline for further questions relating to the water supply. This number is 091 536400 (office hours).
John Power, Irish Hotels Federation chief executive, said the outbreak "showed the weakness in how local authorities operate safe water systems". Opposition politicians warned that the Galway water crisis could recur due to the failure to find a definitive cause.
They also expressed concern at the lack of investment in sewage treatment plants.
Fine Gael Galway West TD Padraic McCormack said it was "incredible" that the HSE West had failed to discover the source of the water contamination.
"Is the HSE now saying that everything in the garden is rosy? I believe they should establish the cause, so that it can be eliminated," he said
Mr McCormack said the early testing for water contamination had pointed to human waste, which could have come from any of the towns and villages around Galway city still lacking sewage treatment plants.
"There's one under way in Headford but Claregalway, Oughterard, Clonbur and Corrnamona don't have any. This is due to the neglect of the Government over the past 10 years when we had plenty of money but no progress on sewerage schemes."
(c) Irish Independent
Gerard O'Leary, EPA programme manager, said the agency had directed Galway city council to install an ultraviolet light disinfection system at the Terryland New plant. This system provides an effective barrier to cryptosporidium entering the drinking water supply.
"The cryptosporidium contamination incident in Galway city, and more recently in Clonmel, is a timely reminder to all local authorities of the importance of both the need for source protection and provision of adequate treatment facilities," said the EPA chief.
The culprits behind the crisis which affected 90,000 people and left hundreds very ill escaped scot free, it was also revealed yesterday.
Five months later, and at a cost of millions in lost tourism revenue, the green light was finally given for householders to drink their water in Galway.
Officials suspect septic tanks belonging to householders were to blame for polluting Lough Corrib from which the water is drawn.
But yesterday they admitted: "It is unlikely that a point source or sources of the outbreak will ever be identified."
Politicians were furious that the authorities were unable to track down the cause of the contamination.
They warned that a similar outbreak could easily happen as other tap water supplies nationwide are also polluted.
As much as 30pc of groundwater sources from which tap water is abstracted and treated contains cryptosporidium and e-coli bugs which can be fatal in elderly or those with poor immune systems.
The EU is threatening to take Ireland to court for not forcing local authorities to provide safe drinking water around the country.
HSE officials and city and county engineers in Galway confirmed yesterday they are satisfied that water supplies no longer need to be boiled and are drinkable.
Up to 90,000 people have been forced to either boil water before use or buy bottled supplies since the outbreak of cryptosporidium in March.
The HSE yesterday said people could now use tap water in Galway for drinking, food preparation, ice making and teeth brushing without first boiling it, unless they are immuno-compromised and have had specific advice from their family doctor.
The decision follows the installation, testing and commissioning of an ultraviolet light disinfection system at the Terryland water treatment plant where water is subjected to three separate treatment processes.
These are chemical treatment, full filtration and ultra violet disinfection.
Barrier
The UV disinfection is the largest of its kind in the country and provides an additional barrier against cryptosporidium.
The old Terryland water treatment plant is no longer in use and additional water is supplied to Galway City from Galway County Council's Luimnagh water treatment plant.
Galway City Council and Galway County Council have set up a helpline for further questions relating to the water supply. This number is 091 536400 (office hours).
John Power, Irish Hotels Federation chief executive, said the outbreak "showed the weakness in how local authorities operate safe water systems". Opposition politicians warned that the Galway water crisis could recur due to the failure to find a definitive cause.
They also expressed concern at the lack of investment in sewage treatment plants.
Fine Gael Galway West TD Padraic McCormack said it was "incredible" that the HSE West had failed to discover the source of the water contamination.
"Is the HSE now saying that everything in the garden is rosy? I believe they should establish the cause, so that it can be eliminated," he said
Mr McCormack said the early testing for water contamination had pointed to human waste, which could have come from any of the towns and villages around Galway city still lacking sewage treatment plants.
"There's one under way in Headford but Claregalway, Oughterard, Clonbur and Corrnamona don't have any. This is due to the neglect of the Government over the past 10 years when we had plenty of money but no progress on sewerage schemes."
(c) Irish Independent
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