Mr. Phil Hogan T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, today (10 July 2012) announced that he has approved Wicklow County Council proposal for Water Conservation Stage 3 Works – Contract 1. The contract is being funded under his Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2013.
The proposed works form part of the initial phase of the implementation of the Wicklow Water Conservation rehabilitation strategy, involving the replacement of watermains in the County on a prioritised basis, to repair ‘hotspot’ watermains, i.e. those in most need of repair due to high burst frequency, and consequent significant water leakage. This current contract, Contract 1, at an estimated cost of €4,900,000, will involve the replacement of some 26 kilometres of mains in the Arklow, Aughrim, Avoca and Tinahely areas.
“These works will generate significant savings in repair costs and reductions in water leakage”, said the Minister. ‘These works will be a major step forward in the implementation of Wicklow County Council’s Water Conservation rehabilitation strategy ”
This approval clears the way for Wicklow County Council to progress the contract through to tender stage. “I will be pressing the Council to progress this contract as soon as possible,” said the Minister.