Group water schemes and rural water issues
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Published on
Last updated on
Approximately 6% of the population have their drinking water supplied by group water schemes (community-run schemes). Of these, about 70% get their water from private group schemes, which have a privately sourced water supply. The remaining schemes get their water from an Uisce Éireann connection.
The National Federation of Group Water Schemes is the organisation representing the sector - more information on group water schemes can be found on the Federation's website.
Almost 10% of the population get their drinking water from private wells.
Nearly 30% of households are not connected to public waste water services and depend on either a septic tank, group waste water treatment or other systems for treating their waste water.
The Rural Water Programme, through Exchequer funding, delivers improvements to private domestic water and waste water services in areas of rural Ireland where there are no public (Uisce Éireann) water/waste water services.
Grant assistance is available, through local authorities (the County Council), under the Programme for capital works for:
The Programme provides for priority investment needs, which will support proper planning and sustainable development in rural areas. It will also help Ireland meet its Water Framework Directive commitments.
Tobin Consulting Engineering conducted a review relating to research and information on the Rural Water Sector.
Under the multi-annual programme capital funding is provided to support the Rural Water Sector. The Programme operates on a multi-annual funding approach.
The Department, through the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme (MARWP), seeks to ensure the delivery of national objectives for drinking water services in rural areas not served by Uisce Éireann.
The overall purpose of the MARWP and other grants is to provide the necessary funding to improve the quality, quantity and reliability of the water services relied upon by rural dwellers, where no public water services are available.
List and brief description of each Measure.
Funding is available to existing sustainable private group water schemes (PriGWS) to undertake appropriate source protection works to their existing water source(s), including consolidation of sources where practical to do so.
Funding is available under two sub-measures, to existing sustainable PriGWS for:
Funding is available under two sub-measures, to existing PriGWS for:
Funding is available under two sub-measures, to existing sustainable PriGWS for:
Funding is available, under two sub-measures, where a public water supply network is not available or planned and individual domestic water supplies (private wells) are not a sustainable and viable option for:
Funding is available, under four sub-measures, for existing PriGWS and public group water schemes (PubGWS) to upgrade their distribution network to the basic standard for taking-in-charge by Uisce Éireann for:
Funding is available, under two sub-measures, for local authorities to develop:
The focus is on locations where the expansion by extensions off the public water and waste water services network is based on need i.e. human health and environmental, and are technically and economically viable.
The Minister approved projects under this measure on 7 December 2023.
Funding is available, under two sub-measures, for new and innovative approaches and solutions for the Rural Water Sector for:
Capital grant funding is also available for householders that are dependent on:
Households dependent on these services can obtain funding support for their improvement, subject to the terms and conditions, by applying to their local authority for a grant at any time. For information on funding or application forms, please contact the Rural Water Liaison Officer in your local authority.
Administered by local authorities, the Programme also aims to assist - through the payment of an annual subsidy - with some of the day-to-day costs of group water schemes.
An annual subsidy per house is available to group schemes for the operational cost of providing domestic water:
Subsidy towards the Operational Costs of Group Water Schemes - Terms and Conditions
This is a new funding measure under the Multi-annual Rural Water Programme 2022-2025 for the Waste Water Collection and Treatment needs of Villages/Settlements that do not have access to these Public Waste Water Services.
The first phase of funding under this new measure will focus on areas of most need. Villages and similar settlements identified as priority locations based on housing and environmental needs or on an exceptional basis, villages and similar settlements where in the opinion of the local authority, a requirement has been identified.
Circular L1/22 - Applications for funding under Measure A8 - Waste Water Collection and Treatment needs for Villages and Settlements without access to Public Waste Water Services
The purpose of this Circular is to invite local authorities to apply, on a priority basis, for funding under this new measure. The measure is being introduced to progressively provide waste water collection and treatment needs for villages and settlements not currently serviced by Irish Water.
Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme 2022-2025 - Measure A8 - Waste Water Collection and Treatment Needs for Villages and Settlements without access to Public Waste Water Services
This Framework document sets out the policy context and details of a new funding measure under the Multi-annual Rural Water Programme 2022-2025 for the waste water collection and treatment needs of villages/settlements that do not have access to these public waste water services.
Application for Funding Template - Measure A8 - Waste Water Collection and Treatment Needs for Villages and Settlements without access to Public Waste Water Services