24. Exploitation of Natural Resources Sustainable Exploitation of Water in Ireland


Irish Water is a company that is part owned by the Irish government. It is responsible for delivering water and gas infrastructure and services for Ireland. It also operates the water treatment plants across the country. These plants make waste water safe for use in our homes.


Every day in Ireland, we lose about 38% of our treated water through leaks. This is an unsustainable waste of water. It is estimated that between 2022 and 2030, an average of €250 million will be needed each year to fix leaks in the system.


How Is Irish Water Tackling the Issue?


Irish Water aims to reduce the number of leaks in the water system. This Leak Reduction Programme has a number of benefits.


A more reliable water supply


Fixing and replacing old, damaged pipes prone to bursts, reducing disruption to supply


Improved water quality Reducing high levels of leakage


Reducing health risks and contamination by replacing aging, damaged cast iron and lead pipes


Reducing the amount of clean drinking water lost into the ground by replacing old, damaged pipes


Individual water connections


Reducing disruptions by replacing shared and backyard services with new, individual supply connections


Case Study: Reducing Water Wastage in Wicklow


Since 2018, Irish Water has delivered over 17 km of new water mains (pipes bringing water to businesses and homes in Wicklow). It has done this in partnership with Wicklow County Council as part of the Leakage Reduction Programme.


How Has This Benefitted Co. Wicklow?  Improved water supply for over 70,000 people  225 leaks repaired at no cost to homeowners  Reduction in supply issues in the county


Question Time


1. How has reducing water wastage improved the sustainability of water for Co. Wicklow? 2. Explain one possible economic benefit from Irish Water repairing leaks around the country.


3. Suggest one step Irish Water could take to ensure it will not have to spend €250 million a year after 2030 on repairing leaks.


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