Tullow, Ardattin and Askamore Three communities Two parishes One Water Conservation Plan i Table of Contents Acknowledgements ...................................................................................... iv Chapter 1 - Introduction ................................................................................. 1 1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................. 2 1.2 Sustainable Development Goals .............................................................. 2 1.3 Tullow, Ardattin and Askamore ............................................................... 3 Chapter 2 - Tullow, Ardattin and Askamore ................................................... 5 2.1 Tullow – A Town Profile ........................................................................... 6 2.2 The River Slaney ...................................................................................... 7 2.3 Flood Events ............................................................................................ 8 2.4 Flood Alleviation Works ........................................................................... 9 2.5 Special Area of Conservation ................................................................. 10 2.6 Water Treatment Plants serving Tullow ................................................ 11 2.7 Water Storage – Tullow Hill Reservoir ................................................... 12 2.8 Tullow Water Daily Consumption (February 2021) ................................ 12 2.9 Waste Water Treatment Plant .............................................................. 15 2.10 Fauna .................................................................................................. 16 2.11 Invasive Species ................................................................................... 16 2.12 Ardattin – A Village Profile .................................................................. 17 2.13 Askamore – A Village Profile ................................................................ 21 Chapter 3 - Water Conservation in Tullow .................................................... 24 3.1 Water Conservation in Tullow ............................................................... 25 3.2 Lead Pipe / Cast Iron Pipe Replacement Programme 2017 .................... 25 3.3 Leak Detection Campaign 2020 ............................................................. 26 3.4 Water Savings in Tullow WSZ ................................................................ 27 3.5 Rainwater Harvesting Projects .............................................................. 27 ii Chapter 4 – Proposed Action Plan ................................................................ 30 4.1 Tullow, Ardattin, Askamore – Proposed Action Plan ............................. 31 4.2 Action 1 - Information ........................................................................... 32 4.2.1 Overview ......................................................................................... 32 4.2.2 Goals ............................................................................................... 34 4.2.3 Implementing the Action ................................................................. 34 4.2.4 Costs and Benefits ........................................................................... 35 4.3 Action 2 - Education .............................................................................. 36 4.3.1 Overview ......................................................................................... 36 4.3.2 Goals ............................................................................................... 36 4.3.3 Implementing the Action ................................................................. 37 4.3.4 Costs and Benefits ........................................................................... 38 4.4 Action 3 – Drought Tolerant Planting .................................................... 40 4.4.1 Overview ......................................................................................... 40 4.4.2 Goals ............................................................................................... 41 4.4.3 Implementing the Action ................................................................. 41 4.4.4 Costs and Benefits ........................................................................... 42 4.5 Action 4 – River Slaney Boom ................................................................ 43 4.5.1 Overview ......................................................................................... 43 4.5.2 Goals ............................................................................................... 43 4.5.3 Implementing the Action ................................................................. 44 4.5.4 Costs and Benefits ........................................................................... 44 4.6 Action 5 – Rainwater Harvesting ........................................................... 46 4.6.1 Overview ......................................................................................... 46 4.6.2 Goals ............................................................................................... 46 4.6.3 Implementing the Action ................................................................. 47 4.6.4 Costs and Benefits ........................................................................... 47 iii 4.7 Action 6 – Riparian Margins .................................................................. 49 4.7.1 Overview ......................................................................................... 49 4.7.2 Goal ................................................................................................. 50 4.7.3 Implementing the Action ................................................................. 50 4.7.4 Benefits ........................................................................................... 51 4.7.5 Common Plant Species .................................................................... 52 4.8 Action 7 – Drinking Water Fountains ..................................................... 53 4.8.1 Overview ......................................................................................... 53 4.8.2 Goals ............................................................................................... 54 4.8.3 Implementing the Action ................................................................. 54 4.8.4 Costs and Benefits ........................................................................... 55 4.9 Action 8 – SUDS (Wetlands Project) ...................................................... 56 4.9.1 Overview ......................................................................................... 56 4.9.2 Goals ............................................................................................... 57 4.9.3 Implementing the Action ................................................................. 57 4.9.4 Costs and Benefits ........................................................................... 59 Chapter 5 – Conclusion ................................................................................ 60 5.1 Introduction .......................................................................................... 61 References ................................................................................................... 62 Further Reading ........................................................................................... 63 iv Acknowledgements Carlow County Development Mary Lawlor, CEO Partnership Clare O’Shea, Senior LEADER Development Officer Cherish Kinsella, Social Inclusion Development Officer Carlow County Council Orla Barrett, Senior Engineer Water Services Division Ken Byrne, Executive Technician Envirico (Trainers) Dr. Julie Larkin Dr. Amanda Greer Jessica Hamilton Thomas Sheehan Veri (Training Co-ordinators) Ann-Marie McSorley Noleen Neill Josephine Eviston 1 Chapter 1 - Introduction 2 1.1 Introduction Water permeates all aspects of human life. It is not only people who need a supply of good quality water in order to survive; water is essential for the survival and productivity of all life and all eco-systems, including agro- ecosystems. Humans rely on water for range of biological, economic, social and cultural needs. Water is essential not only for basic drinking, cooking, hygiene and ecosystem functioning, but for producing food, energy, and most material products needed for daily life. Water is linked to the development of all nations, however, increasingly unsustainable development is placing pressure on water resources. For instance it is predicted that global water demand will rise by 50% in the year 2030 (United Nations University - Institute for Water, Environment and Health, 2021). Meanwhile, agriculture, which currently consumes around 70% of global water usage is expected to experience an increase of 70% of demand by 2050. 1.2 Sustainable Development Goals In 2015 world leaders adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that cover an ambitious global agenda. Four of the SDGs that affect water conservation are: SDG 6 – the “water goal” – is to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for everyone. No. 6 also underpins many other SDGs and achieving No. 6 would go a long way towards achieving much of the 2030 Agenda. 3 SDG 12 – encourages the world to be responsible with the use of the natural environment