RURAL WATER NEWS Magazine of the Group Water Scheme Sector Summer 2013 Volume 15 Issue 2 ZOC delineation gets go-ahead for funding NFGWS welcomes ‘important source protection initiative’ A recommendation that vital first step in formulating schemes where their water is completed through the Centre Rural Water Programme targeted and effective source coming from and (for those for Freshwater Studies at funding be provided protection strategies, a 5-year with groundwater sources) Dundalk Institute of towards the delineation of programme has been agreed the direction that their water Technology (surface catch - drinking water source that will see the completion of is flowing. ments) and the Geological catchments has been adopt - zone of contribution (ZOC) It will also point to particular Survey of Ireland (ground- ed by the Department of the delineation for some 290 areas of vulnerability within a water catchments). Environment, Community group water schemes that have catchment so that informed It is expected that the & Local Government. yet to complete such work. decisions can be made in rela - NFGWS and these institutions Responding to the case In simple terms, this project tion to possible protective will have an ongoing role in made by the NFGWS through will facilitate essential invest - measures and future planning. organising the work of those the National Rural Water ment in the most critical ele - Pilot models adopted professionals who will com - Services Committee that accu - ment of GWS infrastructure – The ZOC delineation project plete the delineation work. rate catchment mapping is a the source. It will inform is modelled on pilot projects Continued on page 4 In this issue: Page Comment ...... 3 Pesticides advice note issued by EPA ...... 3 NFGWS welcomes ‘important source protection initiative’ ...... 4 Chairperson seminars prove a success ...... 4 Kilmeena school champions community water awareness ...... 6 Septic tanks info campaign underway ...... 7 Federation submission to Nitrates Programme review ...... 8 Leitrim Co. Co. considers the future of 180 group schemes ...... 9 Comparison of water charges across local authorities and the GWS sector ...... 10 GWS invited to be part of research project ...... 11 TCD study shines spotlight on contamination of well sources .... 12 On the water front ...... 13 Water on the brain: reminiscences of a GWS activist ...... 14 Perched in an upland area on the lower slopes of Errigal mountain, the recently-completed water treatment plant supplying Meenabool GWS in Co. Donegal includes sand filtration and chlorine disinfection. In an area of out - What’s new in the water industry.. 18 standing natural beauty, camouflaging has been used to ensure that the structures aren’t visible from a distance. Regional reports ...... 19 Rural Water News Summer 2013

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2 Rural Water News Summer 2013

While there maCy be ocynmicism mat thee seenmint gly endless and Pesticides advice costly events hosted by what might be termed a ‘conferencing industry’, the educational and motivational potential of confer - ences and seminars that are designed by practitioners for prac - note issued by EPA titioners cannot be undervalued. Ireland’s Environmental processes at the water treat - The recent highly successful EPA conference on water and Protection agency (EPA) ment plant. wastewater is a case in point. This provided delegates with has issued a new advice Indeed, conventional treat - food for thought on a range of issues addressed by experts who note (no. 13) to provide ment processes used in were also fine speakers. Full marks to the organisers. guidance to Water Services Ireland cannot remove pesti - For group water schemes, the annual Rural Water Conference Authorities (WSAs) where cides, so this parameter has to organised jointly by the Water Services Training Group and be dealt with by prevention. the NFGWS is poised, yet again, to deliver a programme that pesticides have been detect - is both varied, interesting and informative (see page 32). ed in drinking water and on Entry As in recent years, the Board of the Federation is subsidising the actions that should be Pesticides can enter surface the attendance of delegates from affiliated schemes. taken in such an event. or ground water bodies used You’d be mad to miss it! While the number of drink - as sources for drinking water *** ing water supplies with pesti - supplies through direct appli - Leaving aside the direct criticism of Irish Water levelled by at cide exceedances has been cation, run-off, spray drift, least one councillor, the points raised at a meeting of Leitrim low, there has been a worry - volatilisation or by seeping County Council (page 9) on the future of publicly sourced ing increase in recent years. through the soil. group water schemes must continue to be addressed, as any Through its advice note, the They may also enter as uncertainty about the future of this large sector will only EPA aims to minimise the source point inputs from pes - encourage further negativity and fear. potential for entry of pesti - ticide handling areas from *** cides into water at source, mixing, filling, washing, Rural Water News makes no apologies for again highlighting through catchment protec - spillage and leakage. the excellent work being carried out by the pupils of St tion, rather than having to Advice note no. 13 can be Brendan’s National School in Kilmeena in raising community remove them via treatment accessed at www.epa.ie . awareness about the value of water (page 6). As Mayo County Manager, Peter Hynes has pointed out, the example being provided by this rural school could (and Water Well Drilling should) be replicated in schools across Ireland. Since first completing the All About Water curriculum – in Water Quality Improvements at Source conjunction with their local group water scheme – St One of the most important tasks for any group water Brendan’s school has built up an extensive partnership net - scheme is to consider the performance of your work to promote the simple, yet powerful, message that water is a resource worth respecting and protecting. groundwater source in terms of quality and quantity. The success of extra-curricular environmental awareness pro - • Low-cost trial drilling can establish water supply grammes – as part of the wonderful Green Flags initiative in and water quality prior to developing production our primary schools – is down to having interested teachers and well/treatment system specification. a supportive principal. St Brendan’s has both. We warmly • Cement-sealed wells prevent shallow surface-water applaud their efforts and we recommend their example to other entering a supply, reducing the risk of contamination. educationalists. • An inert uPVC casing/ screen or stainless steel Rural Water News is published by the National Federation screen with gravel pack of Group Water Schemes. For further information, go to between screen section www.nfgws.ie or contact one of our offices: Monaghan and open hole helps pre - (00-353-47-72766); Kiltimagh (00-353-94-9381802); vent the ingress of silt/ Tuam (00-353-93-28712; Tullamore (00-353-57-9328068) . sand into a water supply . Disclaimer Contact the experienced pro - While every care has been taken to ensure that the information fessionals contained in this publication is up to date and correct, no Patrick Briody & Sons Ltd responsibility will be taken by the National Federation of Group Water Schemes for any error that might occur. Briody Aquadrill Services While we are grateful for the support of our advertisers, The Grove readers should note that inclusion of an advertisement does not Rathangan, Co. Kildare imply any form of recommendation. Tel. 045-524360 or 087-2589313 We try to ensure the reliability of advertisers, but Rural Fax 045-524785 Water News cannot accept liability for the quality of goods and Web: www.briodydrilling.com services offered.

3 Rural Water News Summer 2013 NFGWS welcomes ‘important source protection initiative’ Continued from cover page administered through the Besides ensuring that a con - county councils and arrange - sistent approach is adopted, ments for draw-down are this will assist those expert currently being finalised. hydrogeologists and other Besides any financial out - professionals involved by lay, this will be a two-way providing them with a clear process and schemes (assist - reporting framework. ed by NFGWS development Support officers) will be expected to Grant aid at 85% up to a collate as much information € maximum cost of 3,000 can as possible about their be drawn down by schemes source in advance of the towards the professional expert arriving on site. assessment and report. This In the case of boreholes, means that the maximum for example, this will outlay for a GWS should be include any knowledge of € 450, but those with relative - when the well was drilled, ly simple catchments are who drilled it and if there is expected to come in at less. a driller’s log available. cal/chemical knowledge necessary it is important that As with other elements of Treated water records will about the source. As raw schemes have an appropriate the RWP, funding will be help in terms of physi - water sampling may also be sampling point available. Each of these was asked to Discussion Scenario 3 consider 2 of 3 scenarios and • GWS accounts are show - Chairperson seminars to discuss how they would ing an operating surplus in propose addressing them, as each of the past three years. chairperson. • However the position is prove a success distorted as the debtor fig - 86 GWS chairpersons of Five venues were selected Discussion Scenario 1 ure continues to rise. on a regional basis with a group water schemes took • A GWS has shown an • There are significant view to accommodating as the opportunity to attend operating loss in each of uncollected water charges. many as possible within a one of a series of five the past three years. • There is a reluctance on regional seminars organised reasonable distance of their • Significant reserves have behalf of the board to take home base. by the NFGWS in May. been built up. any action Arising out of last year’s NFGWS staff members • Water charges have not Plenary session seminars for GWS managers, attended each seminar, facili - been increased. A report on the sub-groups’ the seminars for chairpersons tating the discussions, note- • There is a reluctance on deliberations and findings were designed to provide a taking during sub-group dis - behalf of the board to take was presented at a plenary forum for discussion, where cussions and acting as any action. session. A further general those at the helm of group spokespersons to the general discussion then took place on water schemes could share group. Discussion Scenario 2 the scenarios and on the find - experiences and learn from Roles & responsibilities • You are made aware, con - ings of the smaller groups. one another. Following a brief presenta - fidentially, that a board Apart from the pre-deter - Responding to an ‘expres - tion on the roles and responsi - member has facilitated an mined scenarios, attendees sions of interest’ circular, a bilities of the GWS board of unauthorised water con - raised several other topics total of 119 GWS chairper - directors and the chairperson nection. amongst themselves, all per - sons responded positively to in particular – and on the • The board member is very taining to challenges facing the idea of participating in important relationship be- active in the group water GWS chairpersons. such seminars, with 72% indi - tween the GWS chairperson scheme and would generally These and the overall find - cating that they would prefer and a manager – the overall be considered to be an ings of the discussions will evening meetings, rather than group was broken into two important member of the shortly be distributed to all mornings or afternoons. discussion groups. board. participants.

4 Rural Water News Summer 2013 Important the Minister and his Welcoming the provision Department in sanctioning of financial support for this funding in what is a very ZOC delineation, NFGWS difficult economic climate, chairperson and member of he added that it is a ‘valu - the NRWSC, Brendan able and enlightened invest - O’Mahony described it as ment’, that will provide ‘undoubtedly a very impor - group water schemes with tant source protection ini - ‘a solid basis upon which to tiative’ for the group water build sensible and defensi - scheme sector. ble source protection Applauding the vision of strategies’ .

Above: Representatives of Kilkenny group schemes at an information meeting on the ZOC delineation project. Right: Shay O’Loughlin and Michael McNamee of Ballykillen GWS in Offaly taking borehole measurements as part of source data gathering. Facing page top: NFGWS and GSI personnel who met to draw up a list of group schemes for which ZOC delineation can be completed this year. Facing page bottom: Several representatives of group schemes in North Tipperary who attended a ZOC delineation information meeting.

5 Rural Water News Summer 2013 National School Principal, Mickey Carney said. Kilmeena school champions ‘The children are extremely excited about this project, as water impacts on their every - community water awareness day lives. With the group Students from St Brendan’s The project entitled ‘What Describing the project as water scheme on our National School in water means to us in our com - ‘both educational and doorstep, it is a very impor - Kilmeena, outside of munity’ also saw several informative for the children tant to support and promote Westport, County Mayo, expert speakers come to the at school, the community the importance of water in rolled out the red carpet on school to inform the students around the school and, our community.’ 27 June for the launch of an about water protection, con - indeed, for communities fur - Enthusiasm exceptional water research servation and treatment. ther afield’, St Brendan’s Remarking that ‘the students and entire school have shown and awareness project. great enthusiasm for this proj - Run in partnership with ect from the very beginning’, Kilmeena GWS, Mayo Co. Seán Corrigan expressed con - Co. and IRISH TV, the project fidence that ‘their endeavours has afforded the fifth and sixth will have a major impact on class students from St the entire community’. Brendan’s the opportunity to Mayo County Manager inform themselves and their Peter Hynes described the community about water con - school project as innovative servation and source protec - and pioneering stating ‘I think tion in their own locality. this project has the potential to Get involved be rolled out on a county and More recently, The country basis’, while Joanne Connaught Telegraph news - Grehan from the Mayo paper came on board, put - County Enterprise Board said ting St Brendan’s forward as ‘the project has huge implica - its entry in the Get Involved tions for sustaining and nurtur - community initiative. ing local enterprise and inward Supported by the Regional investment to Kilmeena and Newspapers Association of the entire west Mayo region. Ireland, this sees 51 local newspapers championing community projects in their area and vying for national honours. The projects must demon - strate a sustainable element to them once completed. An expert panel of judges will evaluate the entries and win - ning projects will receive their awards from President Michael D. Higgins in September. Guidance Under the guidance of Seán Corrigan, manager of the local group water scheme, Pierce O’Reilly from IRISH TV and school Principal Mickey Carney, the students have conducted market research projects and have partaken in several field stud - ies, whilst also gaining a Top: Visual images, including photographs and tv presentations are being used by the pupils of St Brendan’s, Kilmeena, to valuable insight into market - highlight the value of water. Bottom: 5th and 6th class pupils with some of those who have been working with them as part ing and media studies. of their project ‘What water means to us in our community’. Pics courtesy of The Connaught Telegraph

6 Rural Water News Summer 2013 Septic tanks info campaign under way An Engagement Strategy Plan Working Group has been This information campaign is established to disseminate part of the implementation of public information in relation the National Inspection Plan to septic tanks. 2013 for the inspection of Chaired by the Local septic tanks. Authorities and including The plan uses two strands membership from the to protect public health and DoECLG, the HSE and the the environment. Through EPA, this working group has the mechanisms of citizen recently published a series of engagement strategies and Joe Crockett (Kilkenny County Council), with Margaret Keegan and Ger leaflets for general distribution DWWTS inspections, it aims O’Leary (EPA), displaying the new information leaflets on septic tanks. to owners of individual waste - to ensure that: water treatment systems Overall, the aim is to move water treatment systems. • adequate treatment of regarding their responsibil - to a situation where a majority These provide answers to domestic waste water is in ities and how to operate of homeowners with domestic three questions: place; and maintain their systems; wastewater treatment systems • Is our well at risk from • treatment systems are ade - • information is supplied in know what to do to ensure your septic tank? quately operated and main - multiple, easy to under - that their systems are well • What you need to know tained; stand formats such as operated and maintained and about your septic tank? • risks to human health and leaflets, video and web- act voluntarily to achieve this. • What to expect from a sep - the environment are identi - based ‘frequently asked Further information and tic tank inspection? fied and managed; questions’; advice for homeowners is A digital version of the • public awareness is raised; • incentives are used such as a available from your local leaflets is available from • information is available to lower probability of inspec - authority website, or on the www.protectourwater.ie . owners of domestic waste tions for registered sites. EPA’s website at www.epa.ie .

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7 Rural Water News Summer 2013 tion of banks and ditches that will prevent run-off in storm Federation submission to conditions and will also act as nutrient sumps should be a precondition of land-spread - ing. Here too, a special agri- Nitrates Programme review environmental scheme might In a submission that will mitigation measures are special agri-environmental provide financial aid towards form part of a review of the unlikely to be effective, a cost- scheme be established (simi - constructing and maintaining Nitrates Action Programme free advisory service should lar to REPs and the AEOS these barriers to pollution. (NAP) taking place this be provided to the farmer to scheme), whereby funds will Flood plain year, the National explore alternative enterpris - be provided to support best We recommend that there be Federation of Group Water es. Positive consideration farming practice/appropriate no land-spreading on flood Schemes has emphasised should also be given towards remediation measures in plains within drinking water the need for more stringent providing financial assistance drinking water sensitive source catchments, as the risk protection to be provided to for set-up costs associated areas. of run-off is especially high in with such alternative enter - This might include financial drinking water sources and such areas. prises. assistance towards planting of for supports to be provided Farmers should be advised Soil sampling appropriate, site suitable that flood plains already to appropriate farming prac - We recommend that soil sam - riparian strips, erecting stock- receive sufficient nutrients tices in sensitive areas with - pling be a prerequisite on proof fencing, providing during flood events and that in water supply catchments. fields within drinking water drinkers, farmyard improve - land-spreading in such areas The submission states as catchments on which it is ments, or generally discour - is not only a high risk pollut - follows: intended to spread organic or aging land-spreading of ing activity but also a waste of ‘As the representative body inorganic fertilisers and that organic or inorganic fertilis - their time and resources. for the community-owned and such soil sampling be repeat - ers in fields bounding drains, Where possible, alternative community-run drinking ed every 5 years. Given the streams, rivers, lakes, or in land-spreading areas should water sector, we have a par - additional financial burden those with karst features be advised. ticular interest in assisting that such soil sampling would where any of these are part of Conclusion rural communities in the pro - make on farmers, we further a drinking water catchment. In conclusion, we feel that the tection of this valuable recommend that it be funded Sloping fields above measures, in addition to resource. under the Common We recommend that special improved co-ordination ‘The points outlined are Agricultural Policy (CAP) or additional consideration be between the relevant statutory informed by our concern that as part of a special agri-envi - given to the issue of sloping stakeholders, are essential in the maximum protection be ronmental scheme. fields that bound water cours - resolving problems of nutrifi - provided to drinking water Agri-environmental scheme es within drinking water cation and microbial pollution sources and that a whole We recommend that such a catchments. Here, construc - of drinking water sources. catchment approach be adopted to that end. ‘The specific measures pro - posed are based on outcomes from the National Source Protection Pilot Project, the final report of which can be obtained on our website (www.nfgws.ie). ‘The objective of all these measures is to reduce and, if possible, eliminate nutri - ent/microbial run-off into drinking water bodies. Recommendations We recommend that incentives be provided towards encour - aging agricultural enterprises that are suited to particular topographic/hydrological conditions. Where a farm enterprise is of a nature or of a scale that is unsuited to The Federation’s submission to the review of the Nitrates Action Programme addresses the need for additional those conditions and where measures to prevent nutrient run-off into water sources intended for human consumption.

8 Rural Water News Summer 2013 Leitrim County Council considers the future of 180 group schemes (reprinted from The Leitrim Observer , 13 June) The County’s 180 group administration, debt and of how they will be billed over all 180 schemes. We will water schemes are facing an maintenance problems. needs to resolved. be continuing to be in contact uncertain future, with major Mr McGuinness said that it Determined with Irish Water and the changes expected in the was clear that Irish Water Mr McGuinness told schemes, but those running way they are subsidised and will not be taking over Monday’s Council meeting schemes need to be aware billed. GWS’s. Those not taken that the Council is deter - that there are going to be With new State Company over by the Council but mined to make GWS’s aware changes.” Irish Water, expected to take attached to the public water of the possible implications Determined over the running and admin - supply will likely be metered of the change to Irish Water: He said that the Council also istration of water services and billed as a single entity “We have to develop a did not know if there would from County Councils, con - by Irish Water, but, there are rationale to deal with this be grant schemes in place in cerns have been raised about serious concerns about the where firstly we identify future for the refurbishment the future of Co. Leitrim’s future of schemes which which schemes wish to be of GWS’s following the huge GWS structure. aren’t in this position. taken over by the Council. transfer of services to Irish While some have been Charging “We then have to look at Water (IW). taken over by the Council in There is no question [but] whether the schemes are in a “This is a huge concern,” he recent years and will, as a that Irish Water will charge condition where we could acknowledged, “some need result, fall under the remit of schemes for usage recorded take them over and we will substantial investment.” Irish Water when it comes to through its meters – includ - then look at their structural Councillors slammed Irish maintenance and supply, the ing wastage as a result of importance. The more struc - Water for failing to clarify vast majority of our GWS’s leaks – which could lead to turally important schemes the situation for GWS’s: are not in this situation and substantial bills. will be taken over first,” he “This is about water supply, some, acknowledged Director Problems could also arise stressed. it isn’t something that people of Service, John McGuinness, where a scheme feeds into “We (the Council) simply can do without,” said one. are already facing significant another scheme and the issue won’t be in a position to take See Comment on page 3

9 Rural Water News Summer 2013 Comparison of water charges across local authorities and the GWS sector by Jennifer Brady (Water Technology Research Group, Trinity College Dublin) The government proposes to Pricing Free domestic allowance Schemes experience an introduce domestic water Almost 80% of the schemes Of those that were metered, average failure to pay rate of charges across public water surveyed incorporated one of some 9 schemes were not only 7%, with almost 40% supplies following the three charging systems. providing any free allowance, stating that they do not expe - recent establishment of a Approximately 40% had while 4 were providing the rience difficulty in collecting 3 new national water utility, solely volumetric charging in maximum 227m per year. water charges. Irish Water. place, whilst flat rate charges The average annual free In stark contrast, an average My research was to assess were the next most prevalent domestic allowance across of only 54% of water charges 3 the difference in water (this is partly explained by the group schemes was 95m . were collected by local charges and operation across fact that 29 of the schemes Each of the 34 local author - authorities in 2010. schemes and also to compare that responded were ities provides a free Future outlook commercial water charges unmetered). The third was a allowance where a domestic The survey found that with those charged by local mixture of both a standing and premises also functions as a schemes are expanding in authorities. volumetric charge. business. The average size, with 68% reporting an As local authorities charge There was considerable allowed across local authori - increase in membership over for both water and waste - variation in volumetric ties is considerably higher the three previous years. water, only the water element charges across schemes, the than on group schemes at Furthermore, 85% of € 3 3 of the charge was used for lowest charge being 0.22/m 190m per year. schemes wish to remain and € 3 comparison with GWS and the highest at 2.10/m . Billing and failure to pay operate into the future and charges. The average charge across Regular billing can provide with volumetric charges cur - € 3 A previous study of GWS schemes was 0.76/m . This important feedback to cus - rently over one third lower charges undertaken by Barry is one third cheaper than the tomers and can assist in the than local authority charges, Deane in 2003 noted large average water-only charge detection of leaks. there is a clear incentive for across local authorities at Half of all local authorities commercial users to remain variation in water charges and € it was thought valuable to 1.17/m 3. bill their customers on a quar - on a group water scheme. assess whether this variation However, when comparing terly basis, with 35% billing Similar to the findings of has since been reduced. standing charges, the average twice per year. Deane’s 2003 study, there The survey standing charge for commer - In contrast, 75% of group remains a strong variation in In March 2011 a total of 104 cial entities across group water schemes bill their water charges within and schemes was higher, at members on an annual basis, between both the drinking group water schemes (92 pri - € vately sourced and 12 pub - 134.67 per annum, com - whilst 18% bill twice per water supply sectors. € year. Only 7 of the schemes licly sourced) across 18 coun - pared to 108.38 across local ‘Schemes experience an ties completed a detailed five- that responded undertake authorities. average failure to pay page questionnaire incorpo - A breakdown of the aver - quarterly billing. rating questions on pricing age, minimum and maximum Encouragingly, 87% of rate of only 7%, with and operation. connection and standing schemes that charge their almost 40% stating that The survey respondents charges across each connec - domestic members on a volu - they do not experience included both DBO and non- tion type on the 104 schemes metric basis send out a state - difficulty in collecting DBO schemes. surveyed is displayed in the ment, even if the user has not water charges.’ The smallest participating table below. exceeded their free allowance. scheme had a total of 8 con - nections whilst the largest Connecttiion Type House House & Land Commerciiall had 1,449. onlly lland onlly € € € € Additionally, each of the 34 Connection charges Average 1,689 1,667 1,105 1,848 local authorities were contact - € € € € Minimum 300 300 200 400 ed regarding their commercial € € € € water pricing structures. Maximum 8,000 5,500 3,000 8,000

‘The average annual free € € € € Annual standing charges Average 107 136 108 135 domestic allowance € € € € across group schemes Minimum 20 20 10 20 € € € € was 95m 3.’ Maximum 300 350 240 250

10 Rural Water News Summer 2013

potentially assist in the early The project team will set identification of VTEC in up the rig, consisting of a Irish water supplies. series of filters and a pump GWS invited to Access (see photograph below). Project leader, Dr Dearbháile To minimise disruption to Morris explains that her team householders, treated waters be part of would welcome access to can be screened out of doors, several GWS sources and where there is an outside tap treated water supplies to available. research project facilitate the screening of The results of any analysis A number of group water of E.coli , this is generally large volumes of water. will be provided to the GWS. schemes in the area performed using commer - between Tuam and cial systems that are based Claregalway are being on examining a small vol - invited to participate in a ume (100-1,000ml) sample research project that aims to taken at a specific point in develop a practical time . approach to screening large While this method allows volumes of water for low for high throughput and pro - levels of VTEC E.coli . vides assurance that the water Funded by the EPA, the is microbiologically compli - research is being conducted ant, it may miss intermittent by the Antimicrobial or low level E.coli contami - Resistance and Microbial nation and provides no differ - Ecology (ARME) Group entiation between various from the School of Medicine types of E.coli that may be of in NUI Galway. concern, such as VTEC. Screening for VTEC ARME has developed a While water is routinely method that addresses these Dr Siobhán Kavanagh of ARME monitoring the rig that has been con - monitored for the presence shortcomings and will structed to help identify VTEC E.coli even at low level contamination.

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11 Rural Water News Summer 2013 The primary risk factors in this model were: TCD study shines spotlight on • Septic tank setback dis - tance (m) and gradient (wells located down gradient contamination of well sources and <50m from the septic by Paul Hynds tank were more likely to be contaminated), A recent EPA-funded study There are estimated to be about 165,000 private wells in • 5-day rainfall prior to sam - by researchers in the Dept the Republic of Ireland, with approximately 17% of the pling (increased short-term of Civil, Structural and population – 725,000 people – currently use private water rainfall increased the like- Environmental Engineer- wells as their primary drinking water supply. lihood of contamination), ing, Trinity College Dublin, During the period 2000-2010, EPA groundwater monitor - • Wellhead design specifica - has shone a spotlight on the ing data indicated that 25-35% of private supplies were tions (including uncovered primary risk factors that can intermittently contaminated with E.coli . wells with a lack of “liner result in microbiological Recently published figures by the Health Service Executive clearance” above ground contamination of private (HSE) report that incidence rates of a number of gastroen - level and/or poorly main - wells in Ireland, whether teric illnesses in Ireland are significantly higher than those tained within 10 metres of the well head were more owned by individuals or encountered in other EU member states, and point to private likely to be contaminated), group water schemes. rural wells as a potentially significant route of exposure. As part of the study, a total • Geological setting (wells of 262 private wells spread located in limestone areas over six study areas were are at greater risk). sampled for faecal contami - Conclusion nants during the period April In conclusion, ‘local’ or ‘well- 2008-November 2010. specific’ risk factors (such as Additional data was record - septic tank location, wellhead ed at each well and adjacent design and construction, well site. This included details type, localised by-pass flow in such as: the form of direct ingress of • the local hydrogeological overland flow, or rapid shal - setting (e.g. bedrock type, low infiltration) were identi - subsoil thickness and per - fied as ‘contamination mecha - meability, aquifer impor - nisms’ of importance. tance and groundwater vul - Indeed, such factors were nerability category) found to account for up to • well type (borehole or 70% of contamination events. hand-dug well) Therefore, appropriate loca - • construction and design tion, design, construction and (materials, well chamber maintenance of private wells presence, well depth, well - Phyllis Naughton of Ballinamona GWS at a former groundwater source of are essential to reduce the con - drinking water for the scheme that was abandoned due to contamination. head cover presence, etc.) tamination risks and any asso - • nearby contaminant coli present than boreholes, conditions found at many ciated adverse health impacts sources (septic tanks, graz - indicating that both well depth private wells, including the on well users in Ireland. ing animals, farmyards, and well design are important absence of an appropriate For further details pertain - landfills, surface water factors in well contamination. well cover, or of a cemented ing to this study and, in partic - bodies) Surprisingly, the highest seal between the surface lin - ular, to see the statistical mod - • local climate (rainfall and levels of E.coli contamina - ing pipe and the borehole elling results mentioned in temperature). tion (44.2%) were found in wall (annulus). this article, readers should see an area classified as having Results Model the paper by Hynds, Misstear Alarmingly, 29.6% of sam - low groundwater vulnerability A statistical model was devel - and Gill, referenced below. pled wells tested positive for (i.e. relatively thick layers of oped, with all collated risk fac - Alternatively, the author E.coli , indicating that some low permeability subsoil). tors included. The primary may be contacted at: form of (human or animal) This suggests that a signifi - objective of this model was to [email protected] . cant pathway for contaminant faecal material had entered predict the presence or Hynds P. D., Misstear B. D., the well prior to sampling. entry to the well may be from absence of E. coli in private Gill L. W. (2012) ‘Development Based upon proportions, it surface run-off at the well - wells located in diverse hydro - of a microbial contamination emerged that shallow hand- head, particularly after periods geological settings. susceptibility model for private dug wells are almost three of heavy rainfall. The final model correctly domestic groundwater sources. times more likely to have E. This problem may be exac - predicted approximately 85% Water Resources Research . erbated by the poor well-head of E.coli presence/absence. 48(12).

12 Rural Water News Summer 2013

*** There is no doubting the ambition of the national metering programme that is due to commence this month (July). As On the Minister Hogan said in a recent (15 May) address on the issue, ‘the target of installing 27,000 meters a month for the three year project is internationally unparalleled in ambition’. He added that the project is ‘similar in magnitude and ambi - water frby Borian nMacDt onald tion to the Shannon hydroelectric scheme of the 1920s.’ A recent test on a lake source after heavy rainfall has provid - Anybody concerned about the dreadful waste of water in ed striking evidence of the value of abstracting water from Ireland will welcome this long-overdue initiative and must close to the surface in microbiologically-impacted sources. trust that the quality of installation will not be sacrificed Lyubov Bragina of the Centre for Freshwater Studies at DkIT because of undue haste in its implementation. took three samples from Milltown Lake, Co. Monaghan, filter - *** ing them to see it there were any E.coli /faecal coliforms present. The pupils of Kilmeena conducted a very interesting survey to Apart from providing evidence that largescale contamination of assess local knowledge about their drinking water supply and water bodies will occur where there is landspreading followed attitudes to paying for water. by heavy rain, the tests also demonstrated the benefits of sun - Some 210 questionnaires were returned out of approximately light (natural UV) in improving the microbiological content of 400 households on the scheme. The replies suggest that the water closest to the surface and, by contrast, the poorer water process of building public awareness will require a sustained quality to be found below the area of sunlight/UV penetration. effort and a variety of approaches. At depth 1 (immediately below the surface) there were 75 Even on a group scheme that has enjoyed substantial publicity E.coli CFU per 100 ml and 316 CFU of faecal coliforms. in local media over the past year, 30% of respondents were At depth 2 (84 cm below the surface) the results were similar, unaware of the benefits of water conservation and a similar with 91 E.coli /335 faecal coliforms per 100ml. percentage didn’t know the source of their water supply. However, at depth 3 (213 cm below the surface) 1,038 E.coli On a positive note, however, 98% of respondents said that were detected, while the overall faecal coliforms were too their group scheme represents value for money and that they numerous to count. would rather pay more for the quality water supply and excel - Apart from what this tells us about optimum abstraction levels, lent service they now receive than go back to the days where the real lesson is that there continues to be dreadful (and pre - water cost little or nothing, but quality and service were rela - ventable) pollution of surface waters from human activities. tively poor.

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13 Rural Water News Summer 2013

Wreminaisetnecesr of ao grnou p twhateer s chbemre aactivnist There was no apparent In the second extract from his memoir outlining 44 years Michael Kelly of Whitepark, source available in involvement in the rural water sector, NFGWS Vice the Dempsey family of Ballymacward, so all dis - Chairperson, Michael John Kilgannon describes some of Mount hazel, each of whom cussion was futile until that the challenges that were overcome in getting a piped helped to make the scheme a problem was resolved. reality. water supply to local homes. Frank Furey (an engineer The location of the pump with Galway Co. Co.) came Unbelievably, the Cloone This was news to me. I had house has been questioned up with the idea of source well – supposedly such a never heard any thing about many times since. At the sharing with the neighbour - wonderful source – went it. Neither had Frank Furey time we thought ourselves ing Castleblakeney group almost dry. Embarrassing when I went breathless to lucky to have found a scheme. There was an excel - wasn’t the word for it. him with this news. ‘I’ll source capable of supplying lent well at Cloone in the Frank Furey was crestfall - check it out’ he said. He did the scheme’s needs and Castleblakeney area which, en. Both committees were and found the V notch read - neither the County Council he said, would be more than perplexed; Castleblakeney ings on the river east of nor the Department would adequate for both sides. had no obvious alternative Alloon Bridge that showed a agree to its being placed far - I was instructed to write to source, neither did supply well in excess of the ther back up stream. It the Castleblakeney organiser Ballymacward. anticipated demand. could only be put at the seeking a meeting of the two I talked to some people in Pump house nearest point at which the committees to discuss the the area about our dilemma. So where was the pump water volume was known. matter. I didn’t have long to Among them was a local house to be built? ‘As near There were other practical wait for a reply. This was council roads maintenance as possible to the V notch issues also, such as having a not very promising, but a man, Mick Brien from on the river’, announced the pump house where it could meeting was eventually Woodlawn. He, too, was engineer. So the pump be accessed and serviced. agreed and a new face hoping to get water piped house was built where it Electricity also became a big appeared on the scene as into his own home: stands today on a site readily issue; Alloon had just single organiser, a namesake of ‘And what about the river given by Paddy Joe Whyte phase power at the time. mine, Tom Kilgannon (RIP) down near Ward’s where I and at no charge. Because of the water scheme who was Mr Castleblakeney am taking readings for the Similar generosity was development, the area was GWS from then on. He and County Council for the last shown by others; Paddy included in the ESB pro - I worked in close harmony 10 years?’, he asked. Carney of Ballymacward, gramme of 3 phase power. for many years. A consulting engineer was sought and, at the sugges - tion of Michael Kitt, TD, it was agreed that the work should be given to Charlie Rabbitte, at the time work - ing with Galway Harbour Authority. Ground levels had to be taken, maps drawn, pipe sizes calculated, pressures established. It took many months through 1969 to get an out - line of what was now being considered a joint scheme, but i t was confidently pre - dicted that water would be flowing in 1970. Then the Above: Michael John Kilgannon at the abstraction point from the river that would serve as a source for 40 years. roof fell in. Opposite page: The old pump house on a site donated by the landowner to the scheme free-of-charge.

14 Rural Water News Summer 2013 doubting Thomases who them. Later on the issue of were sceptical. ‘Wise’ men sufficient pressure arose. spoke and they were listened Learning to: one such contribution We were all on a steep went as follows: Says he: learning curve as far as ‘I understand there’s going water hydraulics was con - to be 30 miles of pipe in this cerned. The truly amazing scheme (the distance of fact is that despite having main pipe provided for in zero know-how in the prac - the design). Now, it’s 30 ticalities, we all became miles from here to Galway quite well informed as the and if I poured a bucket of scheme progressed. water into a pipe here how The operation of the Finance to deal with the reservoir long would it take to come scheme continued on seam - Of course there was the issue with Shay Murtagh, out in Galway?’ lessly from its construction. matter of money. Funding Wavin Pipes in Balbriggan, Some heads nodded in It became an endless saga of the scheme was from Holfeld Ltd Stillorgan, in agreement. And that was and is so to the present. three sources: (a) the local connection with pumps, and not the only one of such I often think I must have contribution of £60 per several runs to Dublin to absurdities. But some lis - had water on the brain all house; (b) Government the Department of Local tened to such chat. my life, since water has Sanitary Services Grant, (c) Government … most of this We had our fair share of been an issue with me for so Supplementary Grant from at our own expense. Tom rows to contend with and many years. Galway County Council. and I enjoyed each other’s we had our difficulties – Yet, the scheme did suc - In addition, there was local company and regarded the delays in grant payments, ceed and has provided water voluntary input in terms of job as part work and part deadlines not being met. throughout the area for 40 physical work and organisa - recreation! A contentious issue was years. Not bad for a bunch of tion. Local Government esti - Pipe laying began in July, about houses a long way amateurs trying their hand at mates put a value on the lat - 1971 and lasted for a year. from the main pipe and a new experience. ter to show that the entire Meantime a 100,000 gallon what was to be done about Did we do it? Yes, we did! operation was economic. reservoir was built with a Collecting the £60 per local labour force directed
  house, while it took some by Shay Murtagh. This job          time, was eventually done. was done by a Contractor Ballymacward-
     Getting a contractor capable Castleblakeney work crew.     of doing the job was the There was tremendous next issue. In consultation enthusiasm about the work
    with Ms Danelle in Local and the new reservoir rapid -
       Government, we became ly became a notable land -
           aware of John Hynes Group mark. Waterworks Ltd who had The building of the pump
          done several group schemes house in Paddy Whyte’s
!        but none in Galway. field on the river bank
Tom Kilgannon and I enabled the two high output     "    travelled to Moyne, County pumps to be installed.
#     $%    Tipperary, to check out a House plumbing and land scheme done by Hynes and water troughs were going Co. There we met two ahead at the same time. It &       women who almost single- was a time of intensive       handedly had completed a activity. And, as always, '    fine scheme. They were there was the concern how $ (    made of stern stuff and gave would it all work out, would )  * +,-.//-01+- us useful advice about the it be a success and would 2 *+30.3+/1,4- contractor, advice we had we have sufficient money to $"  5 6 reason to value as our cover the cost?  !  6 6 scheme progressed. Regular committee meet -
 Other journeys were to ings were taking place.
       Raharney, near Mullingar There were quite a few

15 Rural Water News Summer 2013

16 Rural Water News Summer 2013

17 Rural Water News Summer 2013

FINNEGAN INSURANCE BROKERS LTD Mountbellew, County Galway What’s new in the Tel.: 090-9679237/9679534 Fax: 090-9679789 E-Mail: [email protected] Water Industry ROUP ATER CHEME NSURANCE (mainly as contributed by our advertisers) G W S € I • Employer’s Liab€ility 13,000,000 Finnegan Insurance water schemes, can also be • Public Liability 6,500,000 A company well known to arranged. • Emergency Repair Work – JCB group water schemes and to ‘In more recent times, group • New Home Connections readers of this magazine, water schemes have been • Member to Member Liability Finnegan Insurance Brokers advised by their National • Property Insurance available Ltd is celebrating the Golden Federation to consider avail - FINNEGAN INSURANCE BROKERS LTD IS REGULATED BY THE Jubilee of the establishment of ing of Directors and Officers CENTRAL BANK OF IRELAND . its brokerage. Insurance. This protects Finnegans began insuring against legal actions taken Celebrating group schemes in 1970 and against them for alleged since then has built up a wrongdoing in their capacity client base in every county as directors or officers of a years where schemes operate. scheme. In all those years, its claims ‘The employment practices W5HAT GROU0 P SCHEME OPERATIVES ARE SAYING : experience has been good, section of a policy protects 'A big thank you to Paddy and staff at Finnegan Insurance for with just a small number against claims made by an many years of friendly and efficient service.' relating to public liability employee of a group water Gerry Costello, Menlough/Skehana GWS and one or two in respect of scheme, for whatever rea - 'We have been with Finnegan Insurance for the past 3 years and property damage. son.’ have received an exceptional and practical service. Finnegan Over the years, Finnegan Concluding the statement , Insurance represents good value for money and we have no Insurance Brokers Ltd has Finnegan Insurance has reit - hesitation in recommending them to other group schemes.' succeeded in having premi - erated its commitment to pro - Seán Corrigan, Manager Ballycroy GWS, Killeen GWS and Kilmeena GWS um rates reduced and the viding ‘a fast and efficient scope of cover improved. service’, adding that quota - water was displacing fines reducing mesh screens – to In a statement marking its tions and cover can be and silt material over a wide filter out solids and fines/silt jubilee celebrations, arranged by phone. area in which the discharged from the discharge water Finnegans has reminded water was dumped ... to the down to as little as 7 micron group schemes of the impor - Patrick Briody & Sons ire of the site/land owner. particles. tance of having adequate Ireland’s specialist drilling More critically, this water Flocculants can be added to insurance cover to protect contractors, Patrick Briody & was entering surface water the discharge water which their exposure to risk. This Sons Ltd, are living up to courses, with significant would practically clear it of states: their logo “Leading by solids & fines content caus - any residue. ‘The basic cover required is Example” yet again, having ing turbidity issues and envi - Picture the drill site now Employers and Public taken delivery of a custom ronmental headaches to fish - using the Mudslayer Limited Liability and Products built “Environmental eries, county councils and Access M350; shakers which Liability. These provide Protection System”. group schemes with surface dump all solids/fines material indemnity to officers and Manufactured by Mudslayer, abstraction sources down in a tidy heap at one end of members against claims by USA, the unit comprises a gradient of the drill discharge the unit and “cleaned” dis - third parties for personal portable mud cleaning, recy - location. charge water at the other end injury or damage to property, cling and discharge solids Management of discharge that can be piped away from caused by their alleged negli - management system. water is more and more the the drill location and dis - gence. The track mounted responsibility of the drilling posed safely to enter the sur - ‘Indemnity to County Mudslayer Limited Access contractor, so an answer had face water course. Councils may be included M350 is set up and levelled to be found to this problem. For further information, con - free of charge. on its own independent jacks The Mudslayer Limited tact Patrick Briody & Sons ‘Many group water schemes away from the drilling rig. Access M350 is the answer: Ltd, Rathangan, Co. Kildare have valuable property. It is Patrick Briody & Sons water is discharged by bauer 045 524360, or view our essential that such property drilling rigs are equipped to pipe from the diverter system website at: is insured in respect of fire, divert all discharge ground - at the top of the liner into a www.briodydrilling.com lightning, storm damage, water & solids through one or hydrocyclone at the top of the flooding, explosion, burst more 6” bauer pipes from the unit. This reduces the veloci - PS This website is currently pipes, theft etc. protruding steel liner to dis - ty of the discharged water/ being totally overhauled, so ‘Insurance cover for mechan - charge groundwater to waste. solids and allows the shale watch this space for news of ical diggers owned by group To date the discharge of drill shaker principle – comprising the relaunch!

18 Rural Water News Summer 2013

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high chemical concentrations their 50 (approx.) members. GWS, Corofin Ballintubber Regional of colour, turbidity, iron and These will be installed by GWS, Derrydonnell GWS, manganese during each treat - direct labour, as all connec - Glann GWS and Ratesh ed water production run. tions are located off the public Ardour GWS. Reports CBC GWS – will be upgrad - roads and in private property. *** ed to include additional aera - *** Tierneevin GWS committee Connacht tion, coagulation, floccula - Good progress is being made is making strenuous efforts to Region tion and sedimentation to in the taking-in-charge of pub - deal with periodic microbio - by deal with high concentrations licly sourced GWS, with 8 logical exceedances and Karen Carney, of colour, iron, manganese schemes having been formally (amongst other actions) has Paul Connolly and Joe Gallagher and ammonia contaminants. taken-in-charge since March: appointed a consulting engi - Galway *** Castlelambert GWS, Carnmore neer to devise a robust treat - DECLG funding has been Draft proposals to upgrade West no. 1 GWS, Cloch a’ ment and monitoring system approved to upgrade the exist - Gallagh GWS treatment plant Leachta GWS, Cormacuagh for their water supply. ing treatment processes on are being reviewed by the three of the schemes in the Client’s Representative. second Galway DBO bundle, *** as follows: Glynsk Creggs GWS recently Lydacan GWS treatment finished installing AMR on plant is (subject to Part 8 plan - all meters and telemetry on ning permission) to be bulk meters, as well as GPS upgraded to include coagula - mapping all connections. tion, flocculation and sedi - Usage is now monitored on a mentation for enhanced con - more regular basis, so that taminant removal. members get early warning Ballinabanaba GWS water of leakage. treatment plant upgrade is to *** include slow treatment plant Esker GWS has taken the first start-up and an automated run- step in universal metering, Members of Tierneevin GWS committee are addressing periodic microbio - to-waste system to minimise having purchased meters for logical non-compli ance issues and hope to complete an upgrade shortly.

19 Rural Water News Summer 2013 *** Carrowmore Clostoken GWS, a new publicly sourced scheme, has been connected to the Loughrea Regional Water Supply. *** The recent appointment of Seán Corrigan as part-time manager of Leitir Uí Mealláin GWS has been welcomed by the local committee. Mr Corrigan was appointed to assist with the development and implementation of appro - priate management, adminis - Some of those who attended the recent blessing cermenony at Peterswell/Castledaly GWS water treatment plant . tration and maintenance Upgrade works are well *** A blessing took place of the structures for the scheme and advanced on Kilchreest GWS. Nine schemes were repre - Peterswell Castledaly GWS will hold the position for a 3 The approved works include sented at a meeting of the treatment plant on 13 June. to 6-month period. installation of a validated duty Galway DBO bundle 1 Julian Drapiewski of Glan *** and standby UV reactor and Liaison Monitoring Agua Ltd led those in atten - A recent Special General UVI monitor as well as a tur - Committee on 16 May. The dance on a tour of the facili - Meeting of Abbey Kylemore bidity monitor and dial out next LMC meeting for DBO ty, explaining the treatment GWS voted to adopt the new alarm system. 1 is scheduled for 27 August. processes. Model Co-operative Rules. In addition, the scheme *** NFGWS development offi - *** secured funding to properly DBO bundle 2 met on 9 May, cer, Karen Carney compli - Caherlea GWS – a 21-house seal its borehole and to erect with 12 schemes in atten - mented the committee on scheme near Tuam – has safety fencing on its reservoir. dance. The next DBO bundle their hard work over the last recently set up as a new co- Repair or replacement of a 2 LMC meeting is scheduled number of years and said that operative. continuous chlorine monitor for 8 August. the members should be proud *** on the network is also planned. *** of what they have achieved.

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20 Rural Water News Summer 2013 Leitrim: *** Killaturley GWS committee Alan McHugh of Eirgrid and Snag items identified by the A raw water sampling pro - members that their spring has been working closely with Resident Engineer on Sliabh gramme is being carried out source might be negatively hydrogeologist Coran Kelly an Iarainn GWS have now on Clew Bay GWS’s old impacted if the pylons are of Tobins Consulting almost all been addressed. The Cuilmore source on the located within their zone of Engineeers in actively investi - scheme recently met with the Skerdagh river. This is to contribution (ZOC). gating the ZOC and conduct - civil contractor, the County establish if lower colour val - The committee raised its con - ing relevant ground water Council and with engineers to ues could be achieved by cerns at a recent meeting with testing. evaluate progress. blending waters from the The GWS manager has suc - old and new sources during ceeded in bringing each of periods of heavy rainfall. the three individual GWS Issues relating to elevated that formed the Sliabh an colour over extended periods Iarainn GWS amalgamation during heavy rainfall have up to a common standard. All been highlighted by the members are now on a level DBO contractor. charging system. *** The Liaison Monitoring Mayo Committee for DBO bundle Several meetings have taken 2 was held recently. The place with Aecom (DBO small attendance may have operator for Mayo bundle 1) been related to the recent in recent months at which spell of fine weather. proposed upgrades to the *** treatment processes at several A fresh water pearl mussel plants were considered. survey was completed recent - The need for such upgrades ly on a section of the River Representatives of Laghta GWS, with Aecom staff and Paul Connolly of arises from major variations Moy at a point where an exist - the NFGWS, pictured during a Quality Assurance site visit on 13 April. in raw water quality on sever - ing main is due to be replaced. This scheme is very well managed and uses the NFGWS QA system to good effect. What was also noted during the visit to Laghta and to nearby al sources, while issues relat - This is part of the interconect - Drummin GWS was the very high standard of maintenance on the DBO ing to THMs and severe ing pipework on Callow Lake treatment plants, for which great credit is due to the Aecom staff involved. membrane deterioration are GWS which supplies the also being addressed. Meelick and Bohola areas. It Data logger GSM/GPRS It is hoped that firm proposals is hoped that this section of will be available within the main can be replaced over the next 4 to 6 weeks for consid - summer months. SOFREL LS eration by the DECLG and *** ring Area and by the group water schemes Tender documents are being District Mete ater Solutions involved. prepared for advance con - Non revenue W *** tract no. 5. This will include Work to address structural construction of an intercon - issues on several treatment necting water main between Designed for underground use plants in bundle 1 are nearing Clew Bay GWS and ǩ ŽŒ•Š—‹”—’†“ˆŠ‡šŽ‘™džŽ“†“™Š““†ǩ ŽŒ•Š—‹”—’†“ˆŠ‡šŽ‘™ completion. Buckagh Furnace GWS. ǩǩ ȅ ˆ”’’š“Žˆ†™Ž”“ ȅ ˆ”’’š“Žˆ†™Ž”“ *** Work on this should com - ǩǩ†™Š—™ŽŒ™“Š˜˜Ǭ ȥȧǭ†™Š—™ŽŒ™“Š˜˜Ǭ ȥȧǭ

Installation of an attenuation mence in early Autumn. ǩ†™™Š—ž•”œŠ—ǩ†™™Š—ž•”œŠ—Š‰ Up to

10 years tank to deal with the back - *** Ǭš•Ǭš•™”ȠȟžŠ†—˜†š™”“”’žǭ™”Ƞȟ žǭ life battery wash from the treatment Carha GWS has been con - ǩ‘šŠ™””™ˆ”’’š“Žˆ†™Ž”“ plant at Lough Carra GWS nected to a public main and is ǩdž‡†˜Š‰ǩdž‡†˜Š‰‰Ž†Œ“”˜™Žˆ˜‰Ž†Œ“”˜™Žˆ˜ has been completed. now getting water from the ǩ†™™Š—žȅ ˆ†—‰Ž“džƣŠ‘‰ˆ†“ŒŠ‰Ž“džƣŠ‘‰ˆ†“ŒŠ *** Ballina Regional Supply. ǩ†˜ž†“‰‘Ž“Œ The Design Build phase of *** RRemoteemote metering DBO bundle 2 is now almost Tenders for the upgrade of Leakage detection complete, with only snagging Attymass GWS will be sought Network diagnostic issues to be addressed on in the near future. This is wel - KeyKey customers three of the plants. come news for the people of monitoring *** the area. Secondary chlorination is *** BallonBallon being installed on a second An Eirgrid proposal to erect Co.Co. CarlowCarlow Tel:Tel: +353+353 59 91591949159194 reservoir on the PBKS pylons in the Swinford area E-mail:E-mail: [email protected]@cheetah.ie Web:Web: www.cheetah.iewww.cheetah.ie www.ls-leak-detection.comwww.ls-leak-detection.com scheme. has caused concern amongst

21 Rural Water News Summer 2013 Roscommon GWS, Woodmount GWS and *** working hard in recent months A recent Rural Water Culleen GWS. Brusna GWS expects to carry to have long-standing boil Monitoring Committee meet - *** out repair works on its leaking water notices lifted. Notices ing heard that funding has Pollacat GWS is in the process reservoir in the coming weeks. on the Corrick, Keash and been granted by the DECLG of purchasing some ground Serious leakage at the base of Castlebaldwin schemes have towards upgrading work on around its source, both as a the tank has been costly in now been lifted and extensive the treatment plants in the source protection measure and terms of water loss and exces - testing programmes are in DBO bundle to address major as a site upon which a new sive (and unnecessary) elec - place to ensure water safety. variations in raw water treatment process can be tricity charges from pumping. *** colour and turbidity follow - accommodated. Planning will *** Sligo secured funding under ing heavy rainfall. have to be applied for in rela - Peake Mantua GWS raw this year’s Rural Water Planning permission has tion to this upgrade, as it water source has tested posi - Programme allocations to been secured for the pro - involves a change to the origi - tive for Cryptosporidium. install Cryptosporidium barri - posed upgrading works. nal design. The GWS committee wants to ers in the Sligo South East Construction will commence *** install a robust UV system that bundle. It is hoped that the shortly and is due to be com - At the most recent Liaison will be alarmed and give con - necessary works (mainly UV pleted in about 12 weeks. Monitoring Committee meet - tinuous readings. installation) will proceed *** ing, DBO service provider, Committee members also soon. Similar works have Five schemes have secured Glan Agua Ltd, explained that hope to install an effective fil - already been carried out on the funding for critical mains improvement works will be tration system to remove North West bundle. replacement: completed at the Carnalasson colour in advance of UV treat - *** Mid Roscommon GWS, source (on Mid Roscommon ment, as colour can be high At recent LMC meetings for Oran Ballintubber GWS, GWS) during the upgrading of after heavy rainfall. the DBO bundles, corre - Corracreigh GWS, Pollacat the water treatment plants. The committee is working spondence relating to Springs GWS and Ongoing group scheme con - closely with Roscommon Co. Capital Replacement Castlestrange GWS. cerns in relation to the infor - Co. on its upgrade plan. arrangements and late pay - *** mation available on the ments of invoices by some Four publicly sourced SCADA system and, especial - Sligo schemes was discussed. schemes are to be taken-in- ly, from the bulk meters are to The County Council and Concerns were expressed at charge this year: Lowtown be addressed before the next group schemes in the South the tone and content of this GWS, Baravalley Carrigheen LMC meeting. East DBO bundle having been correspondence.

22 Rural Water News Summer 2013 Dunmore GWS, Highrath Leinster Region South Leinster DBO bundle GWS, Flagmount Brennan A Liaison Monitoring DBO service provider, EPS GWS Windgap GWS, by Barry Deane, Jean Gibson Committee Meeting was held Ltd, will shortly write to each & Joe Gallagher Lavistown Park GWS and in June for all schemes in the scheme outlining the detail of Clifden GWS. Carlow South Leinster DBO bundle. this and the schemes will be *** € The Rural Water Monitoring Four schemes are entering making their application for The allocation of 100,000 Committee met in April to year six of their contracts and capital replacement funding towards the takeover of discuss RWP expenditure there are some items of plant to their relevant statutory schemes will allow the during 2012 and the budget scheduled to be replaced. authority. Newtown Ballinearla GWS € for 2013. The county was road traffic. The scheme has No. 1 and No. 2 projects to € 50,000 was allocated allocated a total of 295,000 towards water conservation appointed an engineer who is proceed along with for GWS upgrade work under works in Gormanstown/Usk. currently putting together a Bishopslough West GWS the 2013 RWP. The GWS is currently pump - proposal for submission to and Jerpoint Church GWS. *** ing water above the design of Kildare County Council. *** Ballyellen GWS has been its treatment plant, so this Dunmore GWS held a well- allocated funds towards funding will be a great help in Kilkenny attended AGM in April. The installing a nitrate removal bringing the unaccounted for The Rural Water Monitoring scheme hopes to progress treatment process. water level down to an accept - Committee met in April to Phase 2 of an upgrade on its *** able level. plan spending of the distribution mains. € € 115,000 is being allocated *** 250,000 allocated for GWS *** € to Ballinabranna GWS 100,000 was allocated water conservation works. Flagmount Brennan GWS towards water conservation towards the taking in charge of There was disappointment has been allocated funds to works, including installation publicly sourced schemes and that no funding has been pro - carry out further upgrading of some telemetry on meters. the council intends progress - vided for water quality proj - on its network. The scheme *** ing a number of these in 2013. ects in the county and the also hopes to install a tank to St Mullins Parish GWS has *** committee decided to resub - improve chlorine contact € € been allocated 150,000 to An additional 50,000 was mit its priorities under this time before pumping water complete water conservation allocated for new schemes heading to the Department in into supply. works that commenced last and it is hoped that this the hope that funding might Having experienced some year. The committee has iden - money can be spent installing be made available for these water quality issues, the com - tified another section of criti - a new publicly sourced GWS vital projects later in the year. mittee hopes that the contact cal mains for replacement. in Lowtown, near Athy. *** tank will help to significantly *** *** Final account payments will reduce risks to their supply. Ballyloughan GWS is also Ballyroe GWS hopes to carry be made shortly for works *** considering a small upgrade out some upgrading works completed in 2012 on The Disinfection and Basic to its pump house structure. later this year, should funding Ashglen Ballydonnell GWS, Filtration training course was *** be made available. The Annamult Ennisnag GWS and held in April for 7 Kilkenny An incident occurred on the scheme wants to meter all Cuffesgrange GWS works. schemes that were unable to Ballinabranna scheme in connections and to replace a *** attend last year’s course. June which resulted in the section of mains that has been Funding for water conserva - Participants found the course treatment plant failing to consistently breaking due to tions works was allocated to very informative and useful. pump water to the reservoir. Members were without water for several hours, but the DBO contractor (EPS Ltd) and the scheme worked together to resolve the issue. The contractor is making arrangements to avoid such an incident occurring again. *** Changes to the St Mullins Parish GWS treatment plant are now complete and these appear to have improved the treatment process.

Kildare The Rural Water Monitoring Committee met in April. Committee members of Tubbrid GWS, County Kilkenny at their pump house.

23 Rural Water News Summer 2013 *** Laois In the interim, the committee Longford There has been a slight delay QA site visits were completed has been doing a great job. The following publicly in the construction of a pro - on the Heath GWS and Two years ago a new borehole sourced schemes will secure € posed new scheme (Molassy Attanagh GWS in April. Both source was developed and a part of this year’s 290,000 GWS) near Callan, due to the schemes have carried out chlorination system installed. RWP allocation towards tak - initial tenders coming back upgrades on their treatment This is operated by the scheme. ing-in-charge: Ballagh GWS, slightly higher than anticipat - facilities over the past number Since these upgrades there Killashee GWS, Gowlan ed. However it is hoped that of years and are operating to a have been no quality GWS, Clonturk GWS, Lislea this publicly sourced GWS very high standard. exceedances. With increased no. 2 GWS, Kilcurry GWS, can commence over the com - The Heath GWS (which sup - monitoring of chlorine resid - Foynes GWS and ing months. plies about 320 members) has ual levels on the network Clonrollagh GWS. *** an excellent and well protect - using the NFGWS QA sys - *** Newtown Ballinearla no. 1 ed spring source, but hopes to tem, the committee intends Water conservation works GWS held a membership replace the cover on its spring further improving its manage - are being progressed on meeting in May to inform in the near future. ment of the scheme. Cloontaghmore GWS, Elfeet members that funding has A part-time maintenance per - *** GWS, Gurteen GWS, been allocated towards the son implements most of the Laois FGWS met in May to Drumacross GWS, Glen publicly sourced scheme scheme’s QA measures. discuss road opening licences. GWS, Granardkille GWS being taken in charge. Water demand has dramati - This followed an earlier meet - and Clooncolligan GWS. An engineer is preparing a cally reduced in recent years, ing between the NFGWS and *** detailed design of the neces - due in large part to universal the County Council roads sec - Clonmore Kilmore GWS sary works and it is hoped the metering and charging based tion at which it was announced completed upgrading works to project can go to tender as on usage, but also to the vigi - that policy in regard to this their pump house recently, soon as this is completed. lance of the committee. issue is currently under review installing a continuous chlo - *** *** and that the council is willing rine monitor and a duty and Quality Assurance (QA) site Attanagh GWS – which has to consider input from the standby disinfection system. visits were completed on about 40 members – requested GWS sector. These works were identified Clomantagh Killashulan taking in charge several years *** during a recent QA visit car - GWS, Tubbrid Lower GWS ago, but funding has not been A refresher QA training course ried out jointly by the and Parks Rathclevin GWS available since then to com - for Laois group schemes was NFGWS and Martin Smyth of in May. plete the necessary works. attended by 7 GWS. Longford County Council.

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24 Rural Water News Summer 2013 the installation of a number of bulk meters located at strate - gic locations around their pipe network. Usage is quite high, even though the entire system is metered and these meters are recorded regularly. The bulk meters will help pinpoint areas of water loss. *** Aghancon GWS will carry out source protection meas - ures this year. The scheme’s spring source is located in a sloped field and, after heavy rainfall, surface water run-off can enter it, causing colour and turbidity issues. The com - The international Wimbex consortium was in Ireland in mid April, meeting Meath Hill GWS committee members mittee proposes to create an and laying the groundwork for what promises to be an innovative metering project. area around the source that Louth *** news that Offaly County will capture surface water and Proposed RWP works under Distribution System Operation Council has received ‘greatly drain it away completely from the water conservation head - & Maintenance training was reduced’ prices for compli - the spring. ing are to include: held on 25 April. There were ance monitoring on group Aghancon is also installing a • Completion of reservoir 13 participants, representing 5 schemes. Many small schemes number of scour valves and refurbishment works on Louth schemes. have had difficulty paying for air valves to assist with imple - Tullyallen GWS. testing and the new prices will mentation of their quality • Completion of the commis - Meath make it more affordable. assurance system. sioning of the new bored The Wimbex project (wire - On the issue of road opening *** well at the Sheepgrange less automatic meter reading licences, group schemes are Rath GWS is installing a GWS treatment plant site. technology) is ongoing in encouraged to send in to the number of bulk meters to • Source protection works at Meath Hill GWS. A two day council a list of approved assist with water conservation Mountain Park GWS, as visit by project participants to contractors that they propose and hopes to have these fitted recommended in the Zone the scheme was held in April. to use. It is important that any with telemetry. Scheme man - of Contribution (ZOC) This involved meetings and such contractors comply with ager, Noel Lyons recently vis - study completed last year. site visits and was attended all H&S requirements when ited a GWS in Roscommon to • Installation of UV treat - by consortium members and carrying out works on public look at a number of makes ment & improvements to scheme representatives. roads. and models and this visit has treatment plant building at Also in attendance was the *** helped Rath decide on what Grangebellew GWS. scheme contractor and Jean Clareen GWS has com - system to purchase. • Works at Ballymakenny Gibson, NFGWS. menced improvements at its *** GWS, including improve - Development is ongoing with source, including construc - Leamore Leabeg GWS (pub - ments at pump house, the technology hardware and tion of a sealed structure that licly sourced) will lay 3km of chemical storage and pro - hopefully work will begin on will prevent any surface piping as part of their taking- vision for stand-by power. the ground later this summer. water entering. in-charge process. The GWS *** *** Clareen also plans to replace a will also complete works on a The proposed new group Kiltale GWS plans to fit some number of air valves and to site that will no longer be water scheme (towards which new bulk meters on their dis - install several of meters on the € needed once the taking-in- 77,000 was allocated) is tribution network this year. pipe network. charge is complete. This will Dunanny GWS. The alloca - *** be restored to its original state, tion will go towards estab - Offaly Tubber GWS has been allo - as agreed with the landowner. lishing a site for borehole A recent meeting of the Rural cated funding towards replac - Valves, hydrants, meters and abstraction and for provision Water Monitoring ing its existing reservoir. The marker posts will be installed of treatment. Committee welcomed the old reservoir was constructed € on the new pipe. *** 250,000 allocation towards over 30 years ago through The scheme has made signifi - Drybridge/Waterunder GWS water conserva - voluntary labour and has now cant improvements in water is investigating the possibility tion/upgrading works on become unsafe. demand management and also of installing universal meter - group schemes and the fur - *** quality assurance implemen - € ing on the scheme. ther 100,000 secured for Boher Leamonaghan GWS tation over the past 2 years, Their 4th borehole is now in taking-in-charge of schemes. will carry out water conserva - due mainly to the hard work full operation. The meeting also welcomed tion works on its network with of Moira Dunne.

25 Rural Water News Summer 2013 Baltyboys GWS held it AGM in April. The scheme is oper - ating very well and daily water demand has remained at a steady level over the past 12 months. The scheme hopes to apply for Capital Replacement Funding shortly in respect of items of plant scheduled to be replaced this year. *** Work recently commenced on the Askinagap GWS bore - hole to see if raw water qual - ity could be improved. The scheme has been experi - encing high levels of iron and manganese in their supply Improvement works are underway at the spring source supplying Clareen GWS in County Offaly. over the past few years. Wexford completed on Blackstairs Wicklow Although the initial results Knockina GWS met with the GWS and re-instatement Contractors have been following the recent works NFGWS and Wexford Co. works is due to be completed appointed to connect did show an improvement, Co. on 13 May to discuss a in the coming weeks. Hempstown GWS to the there has been a slight deteri - proposed upgrade. 1.7 km of critical mains Blessington Regional oration recently. The scheme subsequently replacement in the scheme. The works have now The group water scheme held a full membership meet - Ballywilliam area (under commenced and it is hoped intends monitoring their sup - ing and now has the backing Contract no. 5) commenced that they will be substantially ply over the coming months of its members to proceed on 10 June. completed this year. to see if the raw water quali - with works that will be ten - The commissioning of *** ty stablises. dered for shortly. telemetry equipment on the The upgrade will include Ballindoney and Poulpeasty health & safety improvements reservoirs is ongoing. and metering of the scheme. Telemetry equipment is *** being installed on the A meeting between EPS and scheme’s reservoirs at Caim, T. J. O’Connor & Associates Tempeludigan, Rathnure, Gortnahoe, Thurles, Co Tipperary dealt with UV issues and alu - Rathduff and Ballywilliam. Email [email protected] | Fax 056-8834362 minium exceedences on Fencing of the Ballindoney Campion Mechanical & Electrical Engineering have over Blackstairs GWS. A number reservoir site is to be carried 22 years experience with Group Water Scheme Works of process changes have been out in August. made and these will be moni - *** Our Complete turnkey solution includes: Drilling of well • tored over the coming weeks. Wexford’s Rural Water Pump supply and installation • *** Monitoring Committee met Pumphouse supply and installation • Contract no. 5 (2km of cross on 11 June to review Full scada system (including alarming and reporting) • Turbidity meters country pipeline) has been progress. • Chlorine and PH analysers • Service and maintenance • Operate and maintenance THE MASTERSON REPAIR CLAMP • Operate and maintenance contracts WHY INTERRUPT SUPPLY TO CARRY OUT • DBO options and alternatives COLLAR REPAIRS WHEN THERE IS NOW • AN ALTERNATIVE?

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26 Rural Water News Summer 2013 improvements to their treat - works on Tragumna GWS, Kerry € Munster ment plant, while 20,000 Ballydonegan GWS, A Rural Water Monitoring Region will assist Ballygannor GWS Rossmore GWS, Ballyglass Committee meeting in April by Joe Gallagher & – a small GWS in the GWS, Quary Hall GWS, considered capital works Barry Deane Kilfenora area – to connect to Clonpriest GWS and under the Rural Water a public main. Gortnagraiga GWS. Programme for this year. Clare *** These works will hopefully The main portion of the € € The LMC meeting for Monreagh (Tubber) GWS is allow the council to formally 1.26 allocation – 800,000 schemes in the DBO bundle in the early stages of upgrad - take a number of these – is for taking-in-charge proj - was held in May. This heard ing its Galway-based pump - schemes in charge before the ects and for works that have that treated water quality on house and treatment facilities. end of the year. carried over from last year on all the schemes was excellent The group recently received The water conservation/ Dawros GWS and Tuosist during the last quarter. Items an engineer’s report recom - upgrades allocation will allow GWS, as well as for the com - scheduled for replacement mending a staged approach to works to continue on Aghern pletion of works on the under the Capital what will be a substantial GWS and Ballinguyroe & Rossdohan, Ballintaurig and Replacement Fund are due in infrastructural investment Tankardstown GWS, in addi - Inch Group Water Schemes. € the coming months and the that will (if approved) include tion to a significant mains A further 460,000 that was process under which this will source improvements, instal - upgrade on Curraghalla GWS allocated towards water con - happen was discussed in lation of appropriate treat - and construction of a new ris - servation/network upgrades detail. The relevant ment facilities and network ing mains and reservoir on will be spent on connecting Department Circular on the rehabilitation. Curraglass GWS. Bonane GWS and Kells CRF was presented and the A members’ meeting is to be *** GWS to the public mains. € schemes were advised to get held to consider the report. Walterstown Group Water A sum of 13,000 is being three quotations for the works. Scheme has been allocated spent on an existing commit - DBO service provider, EPS Cork some funds towards water ment on Caher East GWS. Ltd supplied the schemes Ballinguyroe & conservation works and for Loughar GWS and Inch with a list of all the items Tankardstown GWS has the installation of a continu - Foileadown GWS have yet to requiring replacement and almost complete d a universal ous chlorine monitor in its submit proposals for work the associated costs. metering project and is now pump house. under the RWP. EPS explained that they are considering installing an looking at pre treating the AMR system. borehole on the Lissycasey The scheme plans to monitor GWS to assist in dealing with water demand for the remain - manganese levels in the raw der of the year to detect water water. This will be done prior leakage and to begin charg - to blending and should ing members based on improve the quality of the metered usage from 2014. final treated water supplied to *** the GWS. A recently constructed reser - *** voir on Aghern GWS appears Clare Rural Water to be showing signs of crack - Monitoring Committee met ing. The scheme is currently in May to agree the pro - working with the contractor gramme of works under the to resolve the issue. This Rural water Programme water storage tank was com - € 2013. Of the 520,000 total pleted earlier this year to allocation towards group replace the previous tank due € schemes, 100,000 is to be to it cracking! spent on the taking in charge *** of Moyglass GWS and The Rural Water Monitoring Clonfadda GWS, while committee met in June to plan € € 300,000 is being allocated expenditure of the 400,000 towards upgrading works on allocated under this year’s Rual Water Programme. the following schemes: € Castlecrine GWS, Spancilhill 150,000 is for takeover € GWS, Corbally GWS, works, 200,000 is for GWS Clarefield GWS, Kilnaboy water conservation/upgrade € GWS, Killone GWS and works and 50,000 for new Monvana GWS. A further € schemes. 100,000 has been allocated The council intends to to Killone GWS to make progress taking-in-charge Meter installation on Ballinguyroe & Tankardstown GWS.

27 Rural Water News Summer 2013

Limerick Following a recent SGM, Granagh GWS is disappoint - Couraguneen GWS and A recent Rural Water Ballybricken GWS has ed not to have secured capital Plunkett St. GWS, the final Monitoring Committee wel - secured agreement to take funding this year towards two schemes in the county to comed this year’s increase in measures that will address replacing c. 2.5km of critical complete this course. Four funding under the Rural major water loss. To this end, mains. Constant repair of other schemes also attended Water Programme. A large the committee plans to leaks on this section is a as a refresher and it is hoped € proportion of the 758,000 upgrade a large section of major expense. Hopefully that another refresher QA € allocation – 400,000 – is for mains and to construct a reser - their bid for funding under the training course will be com - the taking-in-charge (TIC) of voir with 24 hour storage. 2014 RWP will succeed. pleted later in the year. Newtown Clarina GWS, a The committee has begun *** *** privately-sourced scheme. collecting local contributions We extend sympathy to the North Tipp Rural Water This is the last scheme in the for these works, with a view members of Cappagh GWS Monitoring Committee met in to applying for capital fund - on the recent passing of, April to plan spending of the county requiring major € investment to resolve its ing under next year’s RWP. Pádraig Feehan, a great rural 468,000 allocated for GWS water quality problems. Design drawings for the water activist who was works this year under the € *** required works have been known far beyond his own RWP, of which 68,000 is for Knockainey GWS will com - prepared and cost estimates parish and county. water quality upgrades, € plete upgrading works to its secured, so the members are Pádraig had a huge influence 200,000 for water conserva - € pump house to improve dis - aware of the likely final on the development of tion upgrades and 200,000 infection and monitoring costs of the works. These Cappagh GWS and on rural for taking-in-charge projects. with a view to securing the will be completed in stages, water affairs across County The water quality allocation safety of the water supply. if necessary. Limerick and he remained will be spent on Ardcroney *** *** active until his death in April. GWS (installation of a colour Kilglass GWS, a small scheme Ballyduff GWS recently Known for his sense of and turbidity alarm), on the Cork border, will also completed a full meter read - humour and generosity in Clobanna GWS (installation receive funding to improve ing of their network and iden - giving of his time, he will be of a UV system) and Graigue their treatment process, as they tified a number of connec - truly missed. Pouldine GWS (rehabilitation are experiencing issues with tions that have excessive Sympathy is extended to of a borehole source located water quality. water demand. Indeed, 3 con - Pádraig’s wife and daughters. in the centre of the scheme). *** nections accounted for almost *** The water conservation fund - Croagh GWS received fund - one third of the water used on Limerick group schemes are ing is to be spent on Moyne ing to replace some critical the 40-house scheme!! delighted that capital funding GWS (which is looking at mains. Whereas the problem - The recent AGM sanctioned is being provided for Zone of upgrading its metering sys - atic section of pipe is laid in an increase in the rate per Contribution delineation on tem and installing some fields, the new section will be cubic metre of water to sources and are anxious to telemetry), Newhill Leigh laid on the road verge. encourage conservation and avail of this initiative . GWS and Brittas GWS (both *** members with leaks are being of which plan to replace sec - Fine weather meant that advised to make repairs Tipperary tions of critical mains) and numbers were down at the before their bills go too high. A Quality Assurance training Barnane GWS (installation of quarterly Liaison Monitoring *** course was held in April for new valves and bulk meters). Committee meeting held in Murroe on 4 June. The DBO service provider, EPS Ltd informed the meet - ing that 4 schemes continue to demand more water than their plants are designed to cope with. On a positive note, however, one GWS had iden - tified a major (and long- standing) leak that was losing 30 m 3 per day!! Treated water quality across the bundle is excellent. Some schemes are taking their own raw water samples and, where requested, these are being included by EPS in their monthly status reports. Ballinamona GWS activists, John Dawson, Liam Naughton and Phyllis Naughton look forward to having the *** zone of contribution to their excellent artesian borehole delineated as part of a new initiative.

28 Rural Water News Summer 2013 The takeover funds will go Geological Survey of Ireland towards completing the final a lot of ground work will phase of works on Drombane already have been completed. GWS, as well as starting two Information meetings were new taking-in-charge proj - held on 29 and 30 May with ects in Castlecranna GWS most of the schemes involved. and Lisgorriff GWS, both of *** which hope to connect to the Rahealty GWS held its AGM Nenagh Regional Scheme. in June. Members heard that *** the scheme’s pumphouse was South Tipperary Rural Water struck by lightning in 2012 Monitoring Committee also and that approximately € met in April. The Council 13,000 of damage was done. € received a total of 280,000 Unfortunately the contents for GWS works including were under-insured, so the € 50,000 for the remaining majority of the replacement works to take the Toor GWS costs had to be carried by the € in charge and 230,000 for scheme. The members were water conservation works. largely unaware of what had € Much of the 230,000 was happened, as the water sup - already committed to water ply was back within a matter conservation projects that of a few hours. This was commenced late last year on down to the fact that Fennor Inchorourke GWS Rahealty has an excellent and Kilcoran GWS. However back-up source (their orginal € there is still about 65,000 borehole) and a second pump available for both schemes to house, complete with UV complete phase 2 of their disinfection and chlorination. John Fogarty of Ash Hill GWS, one of 9 schemes in the Thurles area that water conservation projects. As soon as they became has been collating source date in advance of ZOC delineation. Both schemes have been in aware of the problem caused consultation with their engi - by the lightning, the back-up neers and expect to go to ten - was brought into operation. der shortly. The works will Rahealty changed over to a include critical mains charging system based on replacement and metering. usage from the 1st of January *** this year, having notified their Pike Knockshegowna GWS members of this in 2012. held its AGM in Ballingarry Since the change over, daily in May. The scheme has a demand on the 140 house number of leaks which the scheme has reduced by CompuCount Meter Billing System committee are currently try - 100m 3 per day and further Produce accurate Water Bills with the minimum of ing to identify but this has reductions are expected when effort and also get full financial control of your proven difficult to date. A the bills are issued in July. GWS. number of stop cocks and valves were buried following Waterford CompuCounts Meter Billing System is a recent road works and the A Quality Assurance training complete solution and consists of: course was held in Clonea in scheme hopes to work with • Handheld Meter Reader (which can be the County Council to May. This was attended by bar code driven). resolve these issues shortly. Moonminane GWS, • Water Billing Module for Sage *** Ballydurn GWS and • Direct Debit Module for Sage Seven schemes in the Thurles Carrigarea GWS. • Sage Accounts with all the standard area and six near Lough Derg All three schemes found the accounting system features are hoping to have Zones of training course beneficial and € Contribution (ZOC) for their some of the schemes are now Price (including set 5,930 sources delineated this year. considering upgrading pro - up and training) ex vat The schemes involved are posals to submit to Waterford currently working with the Co. Co. Moonminane is con - T: 061 305033 sidering works to its treatment CompuCount Ltd NFGWS to complete site sur - E: [email protected] vey sheets so that when pro - facilities and Carrigarea is W: www.compucount.ie fessional hydrogeologists are looking at the possibility of appointed through the developing a new source.

29 Rural Water News Summer 2013 Ulster Region by Jean Gibson & Brian MacDonald

Cavan With a Rural Water Programme allocation of € 500,000 under water con - servation measures, the fol - Trace it, Find it, Fix it, Save it. lowing works are planned this year: 8BUFS
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4VSWFZT • Network rehabilitation works at Erne Valley LoCall: 1890 77 22 22 GWS, Glangevlin GWS InDepth.ie Email: [email protected] and Clifferna GWS. • Installation of additional held recently with schemes only minor recommenda - Donegal bulk metering & loggers at in the West Cavan bundle to tions being made. Meenabool GWS new water Drumkeery GWS, Bunnoe go through the details of the QA visits to the remaining treatment plant (see cover GWS, Kildallon GWS, Capital Replacement fund - schemes in the county will page) is in full operation, Dernakesh GWS, ing explanatory memoran - take place over the coming although some problems with Mountain lodge GWS, Kill dum. months. the chlorine dosing system GWS, Corlough GWS, *** *** require attention. The scheme Crosserlough GWS and Quality Assurance visits Distribution System has welcomed expert assis - Dhuish GWS. were carried out recently on Operation & Maintenance tance from Éamonn McCabe • Renovation of an existing Dernakesh GWS, training was held in of Bunn GWS on this issue. reservoir at Farmoyle/ Lavagh/Ballyheelan GWS, Templeport on 23 April and *** Barraghy GWS. Erne Valley GWS, Poles was attended by 12 partici - Toraí is the next target for sub - *** GWS, Bunnoe GWS, pants representing 8 stantial upgrading. On 17 There are capital replace - Doobally GWS, Billis/Lavey schemes. Most Cavan May, Adrian O’Donnell of ment items due this year on GWS and CMM GWS. schemes have now completed (Donegal Co. Co.) and Brian a number of the Cavan DBO QA implementation is going this course. MacDonald (NFGWS) carried schemes. Meetings were well on these schemes, with *** out a joint assessment of what Safe Pass training for group is needed to provide a consis - schemes took place on 30 tent quality drinking water Castlerahan, Mountnugent, May on an outreach from the supply for the island commu - WSTG centre in Stranorlar. It nity. They toured the scheme Munterconnacht (CMM) was attended by 11 partici - with recently-appointed care - building a model of good management pants from 8 Cavan schemes. taker, Pádraig Ó Duibhir. CMM (publicly sourced) Occupational First Aid. GWS has opened an office Following this, an extensive for the scheme in Market St., flushing programme for the Ballyjamesduff. The manag - distribution system was er and secretary are based drawn up and implemented. there two days per week, Most consumers are on a text while the scheme’s caretaker alert system now. This is uses it as his base. invaluable for keeping mem - This has increased efficiency, bers informed of interruptions as staff, files etc. are all at the due to flushing, bursts etc. one location. Scheme mem - All consumer meters were bers are also pleased to have a read recently and the oppor - set place they are free to call to tunity was taken to note any with payments, queries etc. problems/defects. CMM staff recently com - As a follow-up, defective pleted training in Water meters, as well as damaged Sampling & Water Quality, surrounds on water meters Health & Safety at road - and damaged marker posts Townawilly GWS has a strong record in terms of quality assurance man - works, Safe Pass and are currently being replaced. agement and is constantly aiming to improve its performance.

30 Rural Water News Summer 2013 *** In its continuing efforts to ensure a quality drinking water supply to its members and to deal with a periodic THM issue, Townawilly GWS has installed an activat - ed carbon system after its 10 micron and 1 micron filtra - tion processes. The scheme, which is actively implementing Quality assur - ance procedures, plans to replace the intake pipe from its lake source and has been in discussions with Donegal County Council in relation to installing a new water storage tank. GWS participants at a recent Safe Pass training course delivered on an outreach basis by staff from the Water Services Training Group centre at Stranorlar. The trainer is on the extreme left of the picture. Monaghan Monaghan DBO schemes. organised and were undoubt - Safe Pass training was organ - Having received a rural water *** edly of benefit to the children ised in Monaghan on 17 April allocation for group water Water loss on the who showed great interest. on an outreach basis from the € schemes totalling 150,000, Corduff/Corracharra GWS Many of the schools hope to WSTG centre in Stranorlar. works in the county will treated water rising main has complete the “All About There were 19 participants include: still to be resolved. The Water” curriculum booklet in from 8 group schemes, of • Installation of bulk meters scheme is in consultation with the near future. which 7 are Monaghan based on Magheracloone GWS the DBO operator and hopes *** and 1 from Cavan. and Doohamlet GWS, to replace the main this year. • Provision of additional *** sluice valves on Drumgole Digital mapping of the net - GWS and also two chlorine work is ongoing on analysers on the scheme’s Drumgole GWS and is distribution network. expected to be completed in • Providing duty and standby the coming months. chlorine dosing pumps and The scheme recently relocat - associated monitoring ed 800 metres of 5” mains equipment for the ground - from the field to the road. water supply on Tydavnet The old pipe had been losing GWS. a lot of water. • Installing online process *** quality monitoring instru - Stranooden GWS recently ments for ph, turbidity and invited seven local primary chlorine on foot of the audit schools to tour the treatment of the treatment plant on plant and over 150 pupils Glaslough/Tyholland ranging from 3rd to 6th class GWS. visited the plant over the last • Reservoir refurbishment number of weeks. works at Churchill & Oram The tours were conducted by GWS. scheme manager, Michael As a follow on to the prelimi - McPhillips, and caretaker nary source protection assess - Conor Brannigan and includ - ment completed on ed an explanation of the treat - Aughnashalvey GWS source, ment processes. Kilcorran Lake, the scheme is The plant laboratory and planning to install fencing GWS office were also includ - around the lake in consulta - ed in the tour as was a demon - tion with the relevant farmers. stration of the practical appli - *** cation of bulk meter telemetry A number of capital replace - on the distribution network. Pupils from Rockcorry NS (top) and Drumacruttin NS (bottom) were ment items are due on The tours were very well amongst 150 pupils to tour Stranooden GWS treatment plant recently.

31 Rural Water News Summer 2013 12th Annual Rural Water Services Conference Embracing reform without comprising on quality Wednesday 11th September, 2013 Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone, Co. Roscommon Programme

9.00 a.m. – 10.00 a.m. Registration – Tea/Coffee

First Session Chairperson: Gerry Galvin, Principal Adviser , DECLG/ Leas Cathaoirleach , WSTG

10.00 a.m. – 10.15 a.m. Welcome & Introduction: Tom Barry, Cathaoirleach , WSTG

10.15 a.m. – 10.45 a.m. Opening address Minister/Minister of State, Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

10.45 a.m. – 11.10 a.m. The Rural Water Sector in the context of the Water Sector Reform Programme Barry Ryan, Principal Officer , Water Services Section, DECLG

11.15 a.m. – 11.40 a.m. Protecting our groundwater supplies at the point of abstraction David Ball, Independent hydrogeologist

11.40 a.m. – 12.05 p.m. Coping with algal blooms on our surface water sources Dr Eleanor Jennings, Centre for Fresh Water Studies, Dundalk Institute of Technology

12.05 p.m. – 12.30 p.m. Questions and Answers

12.30 p.m. – 2.00 p.m. Lunch

Second Session Chairperson: Brendan O’Mahony, Chairperson , NFGWS

2.00 p.m. – 2.20 p.m. Changing attitudes to water usage and conservation Jennifer Brady, Water Technology Research Group , Trinity College Dublin

2.20 p.m. – 2.40 p.m. Health and Safety Authority’s BeSmart tool for GWS safety statements Kay Baxter, Health & Safety Authority

2.40 p.m. – 3.00 p.m. Managing a publicly sourced group water scheme Pat O’Looney, Manager , Loughrea Rural Group Water Scheme

3.00 p.m. – 3.15 p.m. Questions and Answers

3.15 p.m. – 3.45 p.m. Tea/Coffee

Final Session Chairperson: Frank Dawson, County Manager , Roscommon County Council

3.45 p.m. – 4.10 p.m. Maintaining a Quality Rural Water Service in an evolving environment NFGWS speaker

4.10 p.m. – 4.30 p.m. Water Framework Directive – implementation update and Food Harvest 2020 challenges Micheál Ó Cinnéide, Director , Office of Environmental Assessment, EPA

4.30 p.m. – 4.40 p.m. Questions and Answers

4.40 p.m. – 5.00 p.m. Closing Address Gerry Galvin, Principal Adviser, DECLG /Leas Cathaoirleach, WSTG

To book for this year’s Rural Water Conference, contact Julie Brannigan at NFGWS, 24 Old Cross Square, Monaghan. Tel: 047 72766 Email: [email protected] 32