Sole Water supply - Galway County Council

Public Water & Sewerage Schemes

Sewerage Schemes

There are 27 Public Sewerage schemes in Co. Galway. Connection to these schemes is regulated to ensure that each scheme is operated within its capacity. Industrial, commercial and other large producers of waste may require a discharge licence, which is available through the Environment Department. Application to connect to a public sewer is made through the relevant Co. Co. Area Office.

Provision Of Major And Small Water And Sewerage Schemes

Determination of water and sewerage

A complex and detailed procedure must be followed in providing a major water or sewerage scheme. The need for such schemes must first be identified and in this regard Galway County Council continually assess the infrastructural requirements of the County. A preliminary report is prepared by the water services technical staff, or consultants acting on behalf of the Council and this report will identify the need for the scheme and its potential benefits, the population to be served, the area to be served, the quantity of water required in the case of a water scheme and the volume of effluent to be disposed of in the case of a sewerage scheme. The report will also identify the proposed source of water supply or the proposed method of sewerage treatment, indicating the range of treatment and an estimate of the total cost of the project. The Preliminary Report is sent to the Department of the Environment for approval

Design of schemes

When the preliminary report is approved by the Department of the Environment contract documents are prepared. These entail detailed drawings, specifications and bills of quantities of the proposed scheme. The documentation must be in sufficient detail to enable a costing of the work to be made from start to finish. When the contract documents are finalised they are submitted to the Department of the Environment for approval. At this stage of the scheme wayleaves are obtained from private individuals where necessary.In the case of a water scheme it may be necessary to obtain a water abstraction order which involves publishing the details of the proposal to abstract water from a particular source and giving those affected an opportunity to object.

Acquisition of necessary lands

Lands must be acquired in advance of any proposed works. These lands are purchased following negotiation with land owners and in the event of negotiations being unsuccessful, the Council has the power to acquire land by compulsory purchase order,(C.P.O).

Acquisition of Water Rights

Where the Sanitary Authority propose to abstract water from a source such as a lake, they must prepare a proposal under the Water Supplies Act 1942. The proposal shall state the source of water from which the supply of water is proposed to be taken, the rate of abstractions, the locations and the levels resulting from the abstraction. It is a requirement of the County Council to ascertain the persons affected by the abstractions of water and to enter in a book of reference every persons name. The making of the proposal is a reserved function of the Council, and public notice is given of the making of the proposal. Where an objection is lodged following the making of the proposal, the Council must apply to the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, for a Provisional Order declaring that such a proposal may come into force.

Wayleaves

A wayleave is a right to lay a watermain or sewer under land and to maintain it indefinitely thereafter and the Council is empowered to acquire wayleaves over private property for this purpose. The Council is obliged to restore the land to its original condition and to pay appropriate compensation to the landowner.

Preparation of Environmental Impact Study (where necessary)

Where required by regulation, Galway County Council, as a Sanitary Authority, will prepare an Environmental Impact Assessment on the effects of any proposed works

Tenderingof contracts for schemes

When the contract documents have been approved by the Department of the Environment the scheme is then advertised for tender. In order to comply with public procurement directives the works must be advertised for tender in the Official Journal of the European Communities in addition to being advertised in the national newspapers if the estimated cost exceeds specified expenditure limits set out in EU public procurement directives. The acceptance of a tender is subject to sanction of the Department of the Environment. The successful contractor must produce insurances and a bond to ensure satisfactory completion of the work.

Funding of water and sewerage schemes

All major sanitary services schemes of a capital nature are funded directly by the Department of Environment and Local Government. The availability of funds will depend on the Departments overall annual capital budget for sanitary services capital works and the annual allocation to the Council from this budget will determine the amount of work carried out on such schemes

Small Public Water and Sewerage Schemes

Water and sewerage schemes estimated to cost (including VAT etc.) less than £ 500,000 are known as small public schemes. The design, planning and construction of these schemes as in the case of large schemes, is the responsibility of the County Council. The Council has prepared a multi-annual programme for small water and sewerage schemes for the period 1998 to the year 2000.

Public Water Supply Schemes – Getting Connected

A potential consumer must make a formal application to the Water Services Department using the application form below. Connection to a particular Public Water Supply Scheme, or Group Scheme, served by a Public Water Supply Scheme will be subject to the capacity of the scheme, and if viable, will be subject to a connection fee.

Where connection to a scheme requires excavation of the public road, it is necessary to apply to the Local Authority for a Road Opening Licence.

The abolition of domestic water charges came about under the Local Government (Delimitation of Water Supply) Act, 1995. Agricultural, commercial and industrial water use is levied and charges are reviewed annually.