Uisce Éireann is committed to playing its part in the national drive to provide homes to people who need them by developing and prioritising the delivery of key water service infrastructure.
Making progress in this area is a top priority for Uisce Éireann with one of the largest investment portfolios in the State, with €5.2 billion being invested between 2020 and 2024 to improve water services infrastructure.
We have significantly increased our capability to support planning referrals, connection applications and onsite quality checks to support the delivery of housing. In 2022, Uisce Éireann issued positive connection offers associated with 36,989 housing units.
Projects that enable new homes, growth and more reliable and safe water services are being accelerated across the country this year. Some examples of progress already made include Lough Mask, Vartry and Cork Lower Harbour supporting water services in our communities.
We are working in partnership with all those who are committed to the goal of providing homes, to ensure Uisce Éireann can deliver water infrastructure where and when its needed.
We listened to industry and stakeholders and have made changes:
Published first ever Water and Wastewater Capacity Registers on water.ie to give an indication of whether there’s enough water/wastewater capacity in an area for development – to support developers and Local Authorities to prioritise areas with services.
Rolled out Self Lay in the Public Road programme – we piloted and now are delivering a programme that facilitates the laying of water services infrastructure in public roads by developers.
We launched a new Experience Based Accreditation Scheme that will accredit Experienced Contractors to deliver new water services infrastructure in public roads for housing developers. The scheme, which has been launched 18 months ahead of schedule, recognises contractors’ adherence to Uisce Éireann’s Standard Details, Codes of Practice and Quality Assurance procedures.
Working with our regulator the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, Uisce Éireann has developed a First Mover Initiative policy proposal to mitigate ‘first mover disadvantage’ for developers.
For more information, please visit www.water.ie
