Chapter 13 Water Services

Closed4 Jun, 2021, 12:00am - 30 Aug, 2021, 11:59pm

13.0 Introduction 
 

‘Water infrastructure’ refers to the integrity and performance of above and below ground infrastructure assets relevant to water and wastewater service provision. This includes water abstraction infrastructure, potable water treatment plants, pipe networks, wastewater and sludge treatment plants and discharge of treated water in both the public and private sectors.  

Inextricably linked to this infrastructural service is the management of ‘water quality’ which refers to the biological, chemical and physical status of fresh water in the environment (rather than effluent water quality or treated water for supply). Water quality is therefore addressed in this chapter as a key factor in the delivery of water services, but is also addressed in Chapters 17 and 18, in its role in the supporting of natural ecological systems and biodiversity.  

With reference to the National, Regional and County Objectives set out in Chapter 2 of this plan, the delivery of high quality water services and the protection of fresh water quality will contribute to numerous goals across the three pillars of ‘sustainable healthy communities’, ‘climate action’ and ‘economic opportunity’ by: 
-    ensuring efficient and sustainable use and development of water resources and water services infrastructure;
-    the conservation and enhancement of natural water resources and their associated ecosystems, biodiversity, protected habitats and species;
-    ensuring environmentally sustainable development in terms of location, layout, design and energy and water usage;
-    providing secure clean water supplies and safe methods of wastewater disposal to homes and businesses.

13.1 Context  
13.1.1 Water Infrastructure 

The provision of an adequate supply of water and wastewater treatment facilities is critical to support the health and well being of homes and businesses in the County, and to facilitate and sustain the growth of the County over the lifetime of the plan and beyond. The delivery, integration and implementation of water and wastewater projects and infrastructural improvements are in the main the responsibility of the State body ‘Irish Water’; Wicklow County Council retains responsibility and / or oversight of the following areas:  

Storm and surface water infrastructure: While the Office of Public Works has responsibility for flood risk management, Wicklow County Council is responsible for the management of storm and surface water infrastructure. With ongoing climate change, it is widely anticipated that changes in rainfall patterns and rises in sea levels resulting from climate change will increase the frequency and severity of flooding in the future placing increased demands on surface water infrastructure. In light of these global climate changes, alongside the anticipated growth of the County, future development and the subsequent reduction in the permeability of lands, the management of storm and surface water infiltration will be of increasing importance. Over the lifetime of this plan the effective management of this issue through Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems and Nature Based Solutions will be required. 

Wicklow County Council will continue to work closely with Irish Water to ensure that the County Development Plan and, in particular the Core Strategy and settlement strategy, continue to align with both the National Planning Framework and the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy and that the provision of water/ wastewater services will be plan-led and not be a limiting factor in terms of targeted growth. 

Private wastewater treatment systems and private water supplies: Through the planning process the Council will assess applications for the provision of private waste water treatment systems and water supplies in order to ensure proposals put forward are in accordance with the standards set out in EU/national legislation, EPA guidance and would not be prejudicial to public health.

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