€296m on way for water services throughout Meath

A HUGE boost for infrastructure to improve drinking water standards and waste water treatment in Meath has arrived in the form of funding of almost €296 million for water services in the county, announced this week by the Government.

Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey, TD, said the funding, part of the Water Services Investment Programme, 2007-09, would have a "positive impact" on the quality of water services throughout the county.

Meath Green Party secretary Seán Ó Buachalla, a candidate in Meath East this summer, has welcomed the investment which would, he said, ensure a higher standard of drinking water and improved waste water treatment services.

Said Mr O Buachalla: "Quality drinking water is a must for the people of Meath and, in view of the fact that global warming, as a result of human activity, will affect the east in the near future, we must safeguard our water supplies."

Rivers and streams must be kept clean, with agriculture, industry and the local authority taking a vigilant approach.

Mr Ó Buachalla said he was delighted that Environment Minister John Gormley had looked favourably on Meath. Huge pressure on water infrastructure due to development and some water contamination outbreaks in the county meant that the funding was greatly needed.

The funding also was warmly welcomed also by Fianna Fail TD John Brady. In north Meath, three projects were to benefit by over €18 million, a great boost for the region and its economy, he said.

Schemes starting this year include the Ashbourne/Ratoath/Kilbride sewerage scheme (€26 million),  Dunshaughlin water supply scheme (€10 million) and a grouped towns and villages sewerage scheme will benefit from €73 million in funding. Included in the grouped scheme are Donore, Duleek, Athboy, Kilmainhamwood, Summerhill, Moynalty, Ratch Cairn and Rathmolyon, with funding of €37 million allocated.  

Phases two and three of the Navan AC water mains network will obtain €4.25 million. This major project is already underway.

As emphasis on water conservation increases in Meath, funding of €16.52 million is provided in the scheme in this category.

Looking ahead to next year, an allocation of €75 million has been made by the Government for one of the schemes to start in 2008, the East Meath, Drogheda and South Louth water supply scheme.

Also scheduled for 2008 are the Meath sludge management project, allocated €7.5 million, and the Navan Mid-Meath water supply scheme, allocated €78 million, a total of €160.5 million for these.

On the 2009 agenda are the Oldcastle sewerage scheme, allocated €5.5 million, and a serviced land initiative with €2 million for the Trim water improvement scheme.

Funding to enable schemes to advance through planning is over €34 million in total. This covers the Dunboyne/Clonee water supply scheme, €6 million allocation, the Kells sewerage scheme, €11 million, Kells/Oldcastle water supply scheme, €2 million, and the Navan sewerage scheme (network rehabilitation), €15 million.

The Meath investment also includes €100,000 for an asset management study.

The investment in sewerage schemes in such places as Duleek, Athboy, Summerhill, Rath Çairn, Moynalty and Oldcastle would make a real difference, the minister said.

Mr Dempsey said that, since his time as Minister for the Environment, he had a particular interest in ensuring that water services were well-funded and that standards were continually raised. "Meath will benefit from this significant funding, as it will help officials to plan for the future and to maintain and develop existing water and sewerage services."