This document discusses challenges and priorities for Ireland's water policy, including preparing for the third River Basin Management Plan. Key challenges include addressing infrastructure deficits, compliance with quality standards, and adapting to climate change. The third plan will continue work on significant water management issues like agriculture, climate change, and urban pressures. Other priorities include evolving Irish Water's role, securing investment of over €11 billion for water services, and support for rural water infrastructure through grant schemes. Coordination is needed across areas like land use, food, and biodiversity policies to deliver better environmental outcomes.

1. Water Policy Challenges
and
Preparing for the Third River
Basin Management Plan and
Beyond
June 2020

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2 An Roinn Tithíochta, Pleanála agus Rialtais Áitiúil | Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government
Two interrelated themes
1. Protecting and enhancing the quality of
Ireland’s water in the environment, including
the marine environment.
2. Ensuring the delivery of modern, robust and
resilient drinking water and waste-water
infrastructure.

3. Key Influencing Factors
• EU Water Directives and Policy
• Interrelationship with climate action, biodiversity
and sustainable development goals
• Commission proposals – Biodiversity Strategy and
Farm to Fork
• Critical support for housing & sustainable
development

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4 An Roinn Tithíochta, Pleanála agus Rialtais Áitiúil | Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government
Challenges for the Water Sector - 1
• Existing infrastructural deficits
• Compliance with quality standards
• Addressing EU infringements
• Accommodate population growth and change &
provide services for housing etc
• Conserving water – fixing leaks and modifying
behaviour

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5 An Roinn Tithíochta, Pleanála agus Rialtais Áitiúil | Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government
Challenges for Water Sector - 2
• Make best use of existing network
• Sustainable abstractions – legislation in
preparation
• Deficiencies in rural and private water
supplies
• Reverse decline in surface water quality
• Adapt to climate change

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6 An Roinn Tithíochta, Pleanála agus Rialtais Áitiúil | Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government
Preparing the 3rd River Basin Management
Plan
• The River Basin Management Plans set the
framework for our action.
• Opportunity to work collaboratively with initiatives in
the Climate Change and Biodiversity areas to
deliver a better environmental outcomes

7. 7 An Roinn Tithíochta, Pleanála agus Rialtais Áitiúil | Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government
Complex policy landscape
Land-use
policy
Food policy
Climate
adaptation
Climate
Mitigation
Biodiversity

8. 8 An Roinn Tithíochta, Pleanála agus Rialtais Áitiúil | Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government
Path to the third RBMP plan
Publish SWMI Consultation Draft Plan Consultation Final Plan
June 2020Dec 2019 Dec 2020 Dec 2021June 2021
Review Cycle 2
Page 5 SWMI
Ongoing engagement

9. 9 An Roinn Tithíochta, Pleanála agus Rialtais Áitiúil | Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government
Overview of the
Significant Water Management Issues
Issue 1: Prioritisation Issue 7: Physical changes
Issue 2: Public participation Issue 8: Siltation
Issue 3: Land use planning Issue 9: Health & Drinking Water
Issue 4: Agriculture and the food system Issue 10: Invasive Alien Species
Issue 5: Climate change Issue 11: Hazardous Chemicals
Issue 6: Pollution of Water - Excess Nutrients Issue 12: Urban Pressures
Other issues – Aquaculture, AMR Bacteria

10. 10 An Roinn Tithíochta, Pleanála agus Rialtais Áitiúil | Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government
Other Key Water Policy Priorities

11. 11 An Roinn Tithíochta, Pleanála agus Rialtais Áitiúil | Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government
Irish Water – Continued Evolution
• Separation of Irish Water from Ervia group.
• Single national water utility.
• Eliminate risks in the delivery of assured water and waste
water supplies.
• Need for improved coordination and strategic planning
• Outcomes sought - effective water services utility,
sustainable local government, fairness for workers.

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12 An Roinn Tithíochta, Pleanála agus Rialtais Áitiúil | Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government
Secure financial investment
• Irish Water Exchequer funding 2020 – for Domestic Water Service
- Capital €596.5m
- Current €592m
- Total €1,188.5m
• Strategic funding plan to 2024:
- €6.1bn infrastructure/ assets,
- €4.9bn operating costs
- €11bn in total
• Investment focus on three areas: Quality, Conservation and Future Proofing
• COVID-19: Challenges and opportunities.

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13 An Roinn Tithíochta, Pleanála agus Rialtais Áitiúil | Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government
Key Rural Water Issues
• Oversight of Private Supplies
• Organisational Arrangements

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14 An Roinn Tithíochta, Pleanála agus Rialtais Áitiúil | Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government
Group Schemes
• Multi-Annual Funding Programme 2019 – 21
• Allocations totalling over €54 million made
supporting 621 projects across 25 counties.
• Over 104,000 households expected to benefit

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15 An Roinn Tithíochta, Pleanála agus Rialtais Áitiúil | Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government
Wells and Septic Tanks – New Grant
Schemes
New grant up to €5,000, 85% of cost, no means
test:
a. Under National Inspection Plan
b. In Prioritised Areas for Action
c. In High Status Objective Catchment Areas

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16 An Roinn Tithíochta, Pleanála agus Rialtais Áitiúil | Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government
Marine Environment –
Parallel Initiatives
• National Marine Planning Framework
• Marine Strategy Framework Directive
• Marine Protected Areas