Rural Water Programme
The administration of the Rural Water Programme has been devolved to local authorities since 1997 and essentially covers Group Schemes and Small Public Schemes.
Grants
Grant assistance is available for (a) the forming of new group schemes to provide water or sewerage (b) the upgrading of existing private schemes, (c) the upgrading of private schemes with a view to take-over by Meath County Council, (d) a subsidy towards the operation of private group schemes and (e) provision or upgrade of supply to individual houses.
The Council's strategic objective in this regard is to implement the measures under the Rural Water Programme so as to improve the quality, reliability and efficiency of water supplies for rural dwellers.
Grants for new or existing Group Water & Sewerage Schemes
Grants are available from the Council for the provision of new Group water & sewerage schemes as well as for the upgrading of existing schemes to meet current standards.
A grant of €6,476 per house or 85% of the cost of the project which ever is the lesser is payable to the group. In the case of sewerage a grant of €2,032 per house or 75% of the cost of the project which ever is the lesser is payable to the group.
In all cases the Group must meet the shortfall.
Take over of existing schemes
Grants of 100% are available to upgrade deficient schemes where the Council is requested to take schemes in charge.
Grants for Provision or Improvement of Individual Water Supply
Households not connected to the public water supply can subject to certain criteria avail of grants of up to 85% of the cost, to a maximum of €2,032 from the local authority to enable the provision or upgrade of a private water supply.
Operational Subsidy
A subsidy is payable subject to certain criteria to private Group Water Schemes towards the running costs of the scheme. The subsidy is payable annually and paid on a per hour basis once the scheme qualifies.
Group Schemes
The following Schemes were completed in 2005:
- Ardglassan, Crossakiel, Group Water Scheme
- Tiermurrin Lane, Kells Group Water Scheme
Works are ongoing on completion of the Kilcloon Group water Scheme
The following Group Water Schemes are at the planning Stage:
- Rathmoylan
- Realtogue / Harristown Phase 1, Navan
- Gilbertstown, Longwood
- Kilbride Trim,
- Ballinlough
- Thomastown,
- Kilskyne Phase 3
- Knightstown
- Smithstown / Julianstown
- Old Road Smithstown GSS
- Laytown / Julianstown GSS
- Gogan Street Oldcastle GSS
Small Public Water and Sewerage Schemes
Under this programme Meath County Council can undertake many essential water services Infrastructure improvements provided the cost does not exceed €635,000. An allocation is received each year from the DEHLG and Meath County Council must provide an additional sum towards the cost of each scheme (25%). Typically all design is carried out in house and the Council also assess tenders, supervise construction and administer the contracts.
