Water & Sewerage: Group Water Schemes
Rural Water Section
Mayo County Council is responsible for functions previously executed by the Department of the Environment in relation to the establishment and administration of Group Water Schemes throughout the County. This provides an additional opportunity for the Council to further the cause of subsidiarity, working hand in hand with local communities in the provision and maintenance of that most basic service – a potable water supply.
Group Water Schemes are found primarily in rural areas generally not served by a public water supply, and are privately owned, operated, and maintained. There are approximately 274 such Schemes in operation in County Mayo.
Mayo County Council have set up a County Monitoring Committee and appointed a Liaison Officer. The primary challenge faced by all parties involved in rural water supplies in Ireland is to ensure that the quality of the water supplied to consumers complies with the EU Directive on Drinking Water Standards.
Design / Build / Operate (D.B.O.)
New Schemes / Upgrading of Existing Schemes
Take-Over of Group Schemes / Necessary Improvements
Subsidy towards the Operational Costs of Group Water Supply Schemes
Grants for the Provision or Necessary Improvements of an Individual Water Supply to a House
Strategic Rural Water Plan
The Strategic Rural Water Plan constitutes a blueprint for the future development of rural water supplies in County Mayo and facilitates the focusing of investment where it will have the most beneficial effect. The Plan has been prepared in full consultation with all interested parties. The emphasis in the early stages of the Plan was on dealing with the poor water quality problems in the privately sourced Group Water Schemes approximately 90 of which were seriously deficient. Funding has been concentrated on providing new Treatment Plants, replacing critical mains and installation of consumer meters.
Design / Build / Operate (D.B.O.)
Bundle No. 1:
The first bundle of Schemes for improvement of water treatment facilities using the D.B.O. process has been completed.
13 Schemes agreed to use the D.B.O. process namely:-
- Ballycroy
- Ballyglass/Carnacon
- Belderrig
- Brackloon/Spaddagh
- Drummin
- Glencorrib
- Glenhest
- Killeen
- Kilmeena
- Kilmovee
- Lough Mask/ Creevagh
- Laghta, Fahy/Drummindoo
Bundle No. 2:
The second Bundle is now under construction.
Water Treatment Plants are being provided for the following Schemes:-
- Nephin Valley Group Water Scheme Co-operative Society Ltd.
- Moylaw
- Callow Lake
- Clew Bay
- P.B.K.S.
- Cloonmore/Rooskey
- Curramore
- Parke
- Shraheens
- Killasser
6 No. Advance Works Contracts for the replacement of Critical Mains and the installation of Stopcock Boxes are complete for Bundles 1 & 2.
Treatment System Services Limited has been awarded the main DBO Contract.
Work is in progress with commissioning of all the Plants expected by end 2010.
In 2009 the allocation for DBO was €8,300,000.
New Schemes / Upgrading of Existing Schemes
New Group Water Schemes or existing schemes being upgraded are eligible for 85% grant aid of the approved cost subject to a cost limit of €7,617 per house. Schemes may also be eligible for Clár top-up funding in cases where the unit cost per house exceeds the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government maximum grant level.
Construction Completed
- Keenagh
- Bofield
- Bengeary
- Lacken North
- Drum Binghamstown
- Comminch
Construction in Progress
- Logboy
- Mayo Abbey Village
- Carra
Tender Stage
- Clooncan
- Carracastle
- Kilcolman/Facefield
- Cahermaculick
- Massbrook
- Cushin/Ayle
- Shammer
Take-Over of Group Schemes / Necessary Improvements
The take-over of Group Water Scheme is carried out in accordance with the “Policy/Procedures for Group Water Schemes” document adopted by the Water Services Strategic Policy Group in 2005.
Subsidy towards the Operational Costs of Group Water Supply Schemes
This scheme allows for the payment by Local Authorities of an annual subsidy towards the operational costs of Group Water Schemes in supplying water for domestic use. The objectives of the scheme are to secure the improvements of rural water supplies and to extend the benefits of the abolition of Local Authority domestic water charges to households supplied by Group Schemes. It is important that all Group Schemes avail of their Subsidy entitlements. Mayo County Council encourages all Schemes to apply for Subsidy payments to assist them in the efficient running of their water supplies.
Grants for the Provision or Necessary Improvement of an Individual Water Supply to a House
This Scheme was introduced to assist households dependant on private individual water supplies who are incurring capital expenditure to:
- Provide a piped supply of water for domestic purposes for the first time, or
- Remedy serious deficiencies in an existing supply of water for domestic purposes.
This scheme does not apply to houses to which a Public or Group Scheme Water Supply has already been, or can be, reasonably provided. 330 applications have been received to date.
Water Quality
Following a European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling against Ireland in relation to e.coli contamination in over 450 group water schemes nationwide, a Task Force was established in 2008 under the auspices of the National Rural Water Monitoring Committee to address the issue. In Mayo there are approximately 20 group schemes on boil notice. Most of these schemes are being dealt with either through Bundle 1, Bundle 2 or by connecting to the public water mains.
Water Services
Second Floor
Mayo County Council
Aras an Chontae
The Mall
Castlebar
Phone: (094)902 44 44
Email: WaterServices@mayococo.ie
Opening Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
and 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
