PLANS for a controversial pipeline project to pump over 300 million litres of water a day from the River Shannon to Dublin will have “no impact” on the ability to cater for regional development in Limerick.
That’s according to Uisce Éireann, who said that the pipeline project is necessary to shore up Dublin’s water supply. The utility was responding to claims that fixing leaks in Dublin’s existing pipes, as suggested by the River Shannon Protection Alliance in the Limerick Post, would not do enough to protect the capital’s water supply.
The alliance previously said that the pipeline would be “catastrophic” for the local economy and questioned the need for the Shannon water to be diverted.
Uisce Éireann’s senior asset manager, Angela Ryan, said that the project will enable the utility to meet the challenges posed by climate change.
“This project will also enable us to meet the challenges of climate change by diversifying our water supplies. It will provide the greater area of Dublin, Meath, Kildare, and Wicklow with a resilient, safe, secure water supply,” Ms Ryan said.
“Crucially it will also have capacity to serve communities along the route in Newport, Killaloe, Dunkerrin, Moneygall, and Borrisokane in North Tipperary, and Tullamore in Offaly and Mullingar in Westmeath.”
Uisce Éireann said that just two per cent of the average flow of the River Shannon will be diverted to Dublin, amounting to “taking a tablespoon from a pint glass”.
Ms Ryan continued that “the proposal has no impact on the ability to cater for balanced regional development in the Limerick city and county areas. The full growth requirements from the National Planning Framework plus an additional headroom for Limerick city and county have been factored into our plans.”
