Proposals by Irish Water to serve Dublin and adjacent counties with water abstracted from the River Shannon appear to be based on existing weather and rainfall patterns. These elements may alter significantly with climate change, when summers are likely to become considerably drier and warmer. As a water supply project that will affect many interests into the second half of this century, long term planning should consider likely variables and include specific eco-friendly tolerances.
An assurance that Irish Water will take only two per cent of the water normally used by the ESB for electricity generation does not carry weight locally. There is a belief that, rather than deprive regional households of water during a drought, the scale of abstraction at Parteen Basin would rise. A sure, if more expensive, way of addressing such concerns would be to pipe water from below the ESB generating station at Ardnacrusha, before it is discharged to sea.
Dublin needs an urgent upgrade to its water supply system. But this has more to do with leaks and antiquated facilities than available water. Dealing with historic issues will not, however, serve longer-term needs. A new supply will have to be harnessed and treated. Irish Water has decided against building a desalinisation plant in Dublin and in favour of abstracting water from the Shannon to serve eight counties up to 2050. The plan, first conceived by Dublin City Council, contains elements of corner-cutting and short-term thinking.
Two years ago, when Bord na Móna was bidding to become Ireland’s water utility, it proposed that – to minimise the effect of water abstraction from the Shannon during dry weather – it would build a winter reservoir on cutaway bog at Garryhinch, Co Offaly which would double as a summer leisure, recreational and educational facility. If Irish Water and Bord na Móna were to cooperate on such a project, it would provide useful reassurance and ease public concerns. Water will become a much more valuable resource. We should guard it carefully.