1.0 Operations and Maintenance Programme

Operations and maintenance programme expanded substantially for 2008. Increase in schedule of planned maintenance for all water and waste water plants

 

2.0 Capital Programme

2.1 Major Schemes

2.1.1 Kilkenny Regional Water Supply Scheme
The Preliminary Report received and being evaluated prior to issue to the Department for approval in May 2008. Preparation of Contract Documents / Advertisement for tenders 2009. Construction due to start in 2010.

 

2.1.2 Gowran/Goresbridge/Paulstown WSS
Alternative source being investigated which will inform a possible revision to Preliminary Report.

 

2.1.3 Bennettsbridge Water Supply Scheme
Preliminary Report received, currently being examined by Kilkenny County Council.

 

2.1.4 Ballyragget, Clogh/Castlecomer and Urlingford/Johsntown WSS Bundle
Preliminary Report received and Technical Report being prepared by Kilkenny County Council.

 

2.1.5 Callan, Graignamanagh and Thomastown/Inistioge WSS Bundle
Planning Stage budget has been approved by Department. Exploratory well drilling due for completion in May '08 with preliminary report due July '08.

 

2.1.6 Mooncoin Water Supply Scheme
Planning Stage budget has been approved by Department. Preliminary Report received Sept 2007. EIS for full scheme has been submitted to An Bord Pleanala. Well drilling to be carried out summer 2008. Site investigations and contract documents for phase 1 due in 2008 with construction of phase 1 due 2009.

 

2.1.7 Kilkenny City & County Metering Project
The identification of non domestic customer base has been completed and contractor has commenced the installation programme which is due to for completion in Nov 2008.

 

2.1.8 Kilkenny Waste Water Treatment Plant
A revised Preliminary Report & EIS has been prepared and is currently being evaluated prior to issue to An Bord Pleanala and DoEHLG respectively.

 

2.1.9 Freshford, Johnstown & Goresbridge Sewerage Scheme Bundle
Preliminary Report has been submitted to DoEHLG for their approval.

 

2.2.10 Kilmacow Sewerage Scheme
The construction of the network has commenced and expected to be completed before end of 2008. The treatement works contractor is due to be appointed in June 2008 and works expected to be completed by end of 2008.

 

2.2 Assessment of Needs

A new assessment of needs was undertaken in 2006 and was submitted to the Dept for inclusion in the Water Services Investment Programme 2007 - 2008. This needs assessment is reviewed on an annual basis.

 

2.3 Complete Information System - A database for the water supply network

To date, Kilkenny County Council has substantially completed the data collection throughout the County, related to water services. Data collection includes the creation of a comprehensive customer database for each individual area, including the type of service, name address, metered/un-metered, residential/non residential/domestic/agricultural etc. Proposal for funding with Dept for consideration with expected commence of waste water programme late 2008.

 

2.4 Water Conservation Study

DoEHLG approval for Stage 1 works received. Stage 1 work underway and due for completion in June 2008. Successful pilot project has been undertaken in Thomastown. Request for Stage 2 funding with the DoEHLG

2.5 Serviced Land Initiative

2.5.1 SLI - Gowran Sewerage Scheme
Dept approval received. Contractor to be appointed on receipt of bond.

 

2.5.2 SLI - Western Environs
Department approval in principle to SLI funding has issued. Detailed proposal to be prepared.

 

2.5.3 SLI - Bennettsbridge Sewerage Scheme
Department approval received

 

2.5.4 SLI -Thomastown Sewerage Scheme
Dept approval received construction due to commence 2008.

 

2.5.5 Castlecomer Sewerage Scheme
Detailed design underway before submission to Dept for approval.

 

2.5.6 Ballyhale Sewerage Scheme
Detailed design underway before submission to Dept for approval.

 

2.5.7 Stoneyford Sewerage Scheme
Detailed design underway before submission to Dept for approval

 

 

3.0 Rural Water Programme

• There are 232 Group Schemes in the County - 124 Groups served from a private source & 108 Groups connected to/or now part of a public supply 50 schemes not taken in charge
• Five Kilkenny group schemes - Ballycallan, Castleinch, Castlewarren, Clifden and Cuffesgrange were included in the South Leinster group of 39 schemes - treatment plants for which are being provided under a Design Build & Operate funding scheme. All schemes expect Ballycallan have been commissioned.
• The sum of € 294,497.03 was paid out in improvement grants to group schemes in 2007
• Asset management of rural water sector advanced and all sources covered by regulations have been mapped. Work continues to record scheme details into GIS format also.
• 58 Subsidies totalling € 108,173 were paid to Group Schemes in 2006.
• 87 approvals issued for grant applications for provision of wells to private houses and the sum of €158,649 was paid out in well grants in 2006.
• The sum of €759,988.69was spent on the provision & improvement works to public water and sewage schemes under the small schemes programme. Works were carried out to 19 schemes in 2006.

 

 

4.0 Water Quality Programme

• The water quality monitoring programme for 2007 increased the quantity and range of testing of water testing across source, drinking and waste waters.
• The programme included testing programmes for all categories of public and private water and waste water supplies.
• Identified WWTW under pressure from increased loadings and initiated corrective action programmes
• Continued our long running testing programme for Cryptosporidium.
• Set up regular meetings with HSE regarding public safety for the delivery of the safe & secure drinking water. From these regular meetings Kilkenny County Council have a good working relationship with HSE.

 

 

5.0 Water Charging Programme

• Introduced waste water charge for County and Borough.
• Delivered public relations campaign to keep customer base informed of changes under way in the water charging programme.
• Reviewed charges for water and waste water in context of gradual migration to true economic cost for service provision.
• Reviewed water pricing policy in context of transfer of sanitary services from Borough to County Council.
• Reviewed and updated non-domestic customer base in conjunction with water metering project.

 

 

6.0 Water Safety

• Water Safety Awareness was promoted in Kilkenny.
• Promoted Water Safety Awareness week.
• Appointed and managed 9 lifeguards for summer season.