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
Water Pricing Policy/Rates
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
Manhole on John Street
Carlow Weir Pumping Station
Flooding 2008 at Rowing Club
600m dia pipes on Green Lane
Culvert at Hacketstown Road Roundabout
Barrow Track Construction Completed
Flood Relief Rowing Club
Thank You
Presented by Mr Tom Barry,
County Manager, Carlow County Council