Hogan gives go ahead for funding of over €5.7 m for Rosommon Watermain Rehabilitation

Mr. Phil Hogan, T.D. Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, today (19/03/2013) announced that he has given approval to Roscommon County Council’s revised Stage 3 Watermain Rehabilitation Proposals, to include for the following Contracts:

• the Council’s revised Stage 3 watermain rehabilitation design proposals  to replace 68.65km of watermain at 36 different locations in Co. Roscommon at a total estimated cost of almost €5.5 million, including VAT.

• approval to the Council’s design proposals and the commitment to the necessary capital funding for the Council’s most economically advantageous tender of just over €0.27 million for a Direct Labour Contract to carry out works to replace 1,185 metres of watermain at three different locations – Strokestown, Mockmoyne and Elphin Street in Boyle,

Roscommon County Council’s mains replacement proposals reflect the importance of water conservation as a key objective under my Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013 to reduce water loss in the public supply networks,” the Minister said.  “It is difficult to justify major capital expenditure on new water supply infrastructure unless we also tackle high unaccounted for water levels in the existing supply systems.  That is why the funding for water conservation has been substantially increased under the 2010 – 2013 Programme.

The Minister added, “I know how important this scheme is to the Roscommon area and I would like to see these contracts progressing through to construction with the minimum of delay.  My Department will be asking Roscommon County Council to advance these contracts to construction as quickly as possible’’.