THE PLAN Water Supply Project - Dublin Region

Transcription

1 THE PLAN Water Supply Project - Dublin Region October 2010

2 Water Supply Project Dublin Region TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION BACKGROUND RELEVANT NATIONAL POLICY FRAMEWORK DUBLIN REGION (WATER SUPPLY AREA) HISTORICAL CONTEXT OVER RIDING PURPOSE PROJECT DEVELOPMENT ( ) Greater Dublin Water Supply Strategic Study 1996 / Year 2000 Review Feasibility Studies (3 Options) / SEA Phase 1 Stakeholder Consultations SEA Phase 1 Additional Stakeholder Consultations Dublin City Council Strategic Policy Committee / Expanded Range of Options Feasibility Studies (10 Options) / SEA Phase 2 / Public Consultation Selection of Recommended Option / Stakeholder Feedback NEED FOR PROJECT Government Economic Growth Policy Headroom / Security of Supply Water Demand Growth Demand / Supply Projections Timing of New Supply Requirements Peak Demand & Headroom Allowances New Source Supply Requirements Climate Change / Security of Supply Economic Downturn ( ) WATER SUPPLY OPTIONS River Shannon Water Supply Options Irish Sea Water Supply Option Other Water Supply Options General Option Overview EVALUATION OF OPTIONS Option Evaluation Methodology Option Evaluation & Selection Process SELECTION OF RECOMMENDED OPTION Recommended Option F Environmental Advantages MDW0158RP0091 i F02

3 Water Supply Project Dublin Region Technical & Economic Advantages INFRASTRUCTURE RECOMMENDED OPTION Key Infrastructure Components COST OF RECOMMENDED OPTION PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDED OPTION NEED FOR PROJECT INTRODUCTION IRISH GOVERNMENT ECONOMIC POLICY WATER SUPPLY OBJECTIVES DEMAND PROJECTIONS Maximum Planning Scenario Minimum Planning Scenario Extent & Timing of Water Supply Needs Demand Projections Summary DEMAND REQUIREMENTS MIDLANDS PRODUCTION CAPABILITY OF EXISTING SOURCES DEMAND/SUPPLY BALANCE CLIMATE CHANGE TIMING OF NEW SUPPLY REQUIREMENTS Peak Demand & Headroom Allowances EXTENT OF NEW SUPPLY REQUIREMENTS PHASING NEW WATER SUPPLY SCHEME PERFORMANCE CRITERIA WATER PRODUCTION SOURCES WATER CONSERVATION INTRODUCTION HISTORY OF WATER CONSERVATION Dublin Region Water Conservation Project (DRWCP 1998 / 99) Dublin Region Watermains Rehabilitation Project ( ) Water Conservation for Schools: Mr. Drippy Campaign Tap Tips Campaign Water Bye-Laws WATER CONSERVATION SAVING POTENTIAL Measures in Place (2010) Future Potential Measures CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS MDW0158RP0091 ii F02

4 Water Supply Project Dublin Region 4 WATER FRAMEWORK DIRECTIVE SHANNON INTERNATIONAL RIVER BASIN DISTRICT Interaction / Relationship between the WSP-DR Plan and the Shannon RBMP EASTERN RIVER BASIN DISTRICT Abstractions CONCLUSION WATER SUPPLY OPTIONS INTRODUCTION Hydrological Modelling of the River Shannon Phased Water Supply Requirements from the New Supply Source Technical Evaluation of Water Supply Options Routing and Site Selection Economic Evaluation of Water Supply Options Environmental Assessment Public Consultation LOUGH REE OPTIONS - EVALUATION SUMMARY TECHNICAL ASSESSMENTS Hydrological Model Modelling Conclusions for Options A, D, E and G Lough Ree ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS Strategic Environmental Assessment Environmental Report Habitats Directive Assessments SOCIO ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT SUMMARY ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT SUMMARY SUMMARY LOUGH REE WATER SUPPLY OPTIONS (A, D, E AND G) LOUGH DERG / PARTEEN BASIN OPTIONS EVALUATION SUMMARY TECHNICAL ASSESSMENTS Modelling of Abstraction Impacts from Lough Derg / Parteen Basin Water Levels in Lough Derg / Parteen Basin Flows in Lough Derg / Parteen Basin Modelling Results Summary Modelling Results Conclusion ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS Habitats Directive Assessments SOCIO ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT SUMMARY ECONOMIC ASSESSMENTS MDW0158RP0091 iii F02

5 Water Supply Project Dublin Region 7.5 SUMMARY LOUGH DERG / PARTEEN BASIN OPTIONS (B, F2 AND C) DESALINATION / GROUNDWATER / LIFFEY BARROW OPTIONS EVALUATION SUMMARY TECHNICAL ASSESSMENTS DESALINATION Abstraction Location Selection of Optimum Desalination Technology Modelling of Brine Dispersion Impacts ENVIRONMENTAL / SOCIO ECONOMIC ASSESSMENTS DESALINATION Habitats Directive Assessments ECONOMIC ASSESSMENTS DESALINATION SUMMARY DESALINATION TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT GROUNDWATER Groundwater Study Methodology Methodology for Deriving Potential Yields from Groundwater Bodies Constraints Summary of Groundwater Study ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF GROUNDWATER ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT GROUNDWATER SUMMARY GROUNDWATER TECHNICAL SSSESSMENT LIFFEY BARROW Water Availability from the Barrow Water Availability from the Liffey Water Availability - Liffey Barrow Conjunctive Use Hydrological Modelling Modelling Results Summary ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT LIFFEY BARROW SUMMARY LIFFEY BARROW EVALUATION OF WATER SUPPLY OPTIONS METHODOLOGY FOR WATER SUPPLY OPTION EVALUATION Sustainable Development Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Draft Plan (Technical Report) SEA Environmental Report / Habitats Directive Report Evaluation Criteria / Assessment Water Framework Directive SELECTION OF THE RECOMMENDED PREFERRED OPTION MDW0158RP0091 iv F02

6 Water Supply Project Dublin Region 10 RANKING OF OPTIONS & SELECTION OF RECOMMENDED PREFERRED OPTION ASSESSMENT CRITERIA EVALUATION SUMMARY Summary of Sustainability Analysis & Strategic Environmental Assessments Summary of Option Advantages / Disadvantages RECOMMENDED PREFERRED OPTION Option Description Merits of Recommended Option F EIA & HDA OF RECOMMENDED / PREFERRED OPTION ADOPTION OF PREFERRED OPTION & SEA STATEMENT STATUTORY PLANNING PROCESS MONITORING AND MITIGATION INTRODUCTION MEASURES ALREADY IN PLACE Water Flows/Levels PROPOSED MONITORING AND MITIGATION MEASURES Conservation Measures Landscape Energy Working Groups / Consultees ESB Agreement Bog Storage Phytoplankton Dynamics Ecological Study on Bog Storage Shannon System Monitoring Pollan Survey Invasive Species Hydrological Connections Compliance with Water Framework Directive MDW0158RP0091 v F02

7 Water Supply Project Dublin Region LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1.1 Greater Dublin Area / Dublin Region (Water Supply Area)... 3 Figure 1.2 Project Milestones Figure 1.4 Minimum & Maximum Water Demand Growth Scenarios (Average Demand) Figure 1.5 Peak Demand Growth Scenarios (incl Headroom provision) Figure 1.6 GDA Historic Population Growth ( ) & Projections ( ) Figure 1.7 Water Supply Options Figure 1.8 Desalination Option Schematic Figure 1.9 Multi Criteria Analysis & Strategic Environmental Assessment Figure 1.10 Option Evaluation & Selection Process Figure 1.11 Option F2 Northern Lough Derg & External Storage at Garryhinch Figure 2.1 Minimum & Maximum Average Water Demand Growth Scenarios Figure 2.2 Peak Demand Growth Scenarios (incl Headroom provision) Figure 2.3 New Source Supply Phases Figure 2.4 Water Production Sources Figure 3.1 Timing of Supply Requirements from New Source Figure 5.1 Water Supply Options Summary Figure 6.1 Lough Ree Options Figure 7.1 Lough Derg / Parteen Basin Options Figure 7.2 Lough Derg Figure 7.3 Killaloe / Parteen Basin / Parteen Weir Figure 7.4 Parteen Weir Figure 7.5 Ardnacrusha Hydropower Station Figure 7.6 Headrace to Ardnacrusha Figure 7.7 Existing Average Flows and Abstractions Figure 7.8 Schematic of Average Water Flows Lough Derg / Parteen Basin Figure 8.1 Desalination / Groundwater / Liffey Barrow Options Figure 8.2 North Dublin Coastline (Potential location for siting Desalination Plant) Figure 8.3 Typical RO Plant with Conventional Pre-treatment (for 100Ml/d) Figure 8.4 Groundwater Study Area (80km radius from Dublin) Figure 8.5 Schematic of Option J Operation Figure 8.6 Schematic of Water contribution from Liffey and Barrow Figure 8.7 Poulaphuca Reservoir Figure 8.8 River Barrow Figure 8.9 Liffey Catchment Figure 10.1 Option F2 Northern Lough Derg & External Storage MDW0158RP0091 vi F02

8 Water Supply Project Dublin Region LIST OF TABLES Table 1.1 Dublin Region Existing Water Supply Sources... 4 Table 1.2 SEA Phase 2 Public Consultation Stakeholder Presentations / Submissions Table 1.3 Minimum Planning Scenario Table 1.4 Maximum Planning Scenario (SEA Phase 2) Table 1.5 New Source Supply Requirements Table 1.6 Capex / Opex / Whole Life Cost / Water Delivery Cost ( ) Table 2.1 Average / Peak Demand ( ) Dublin Region (Water Supply Area) Table 2.2 Treated Water Production from Existing Sources Table 2.3 Demand / Supply Balance (Mld) Table 2.4 Minimum Planning Scenario Table 2.5 Maximum Planning Scenario (SEA Phase 2) Table 2.6 New Source Supply Requirements Table 4.1 Relationship between the Core Objectives of the Shannon RBMP and the WSP-DR Plan Table 4.2 Interaction of the WSP-DR Plan with the Action Programme of the Shannon RBMP Table 4.3 Interaction of the WSP-DR Plan with the Other Issues of the Shannon RBMP Table 6.1 Modelling Results Summary Table 6.2 Environmental Impact Summary of Lough Ree Options Table 6.3 Summary of Capital / Operating / Whole Life Costs Table 7.1 Environmental Impact Summary Option B Lough Derg (No bog storage) Table 7.2 Environmental Impact Summary Options F1 & F2 Lough Derg + Storage Table 7.3 Environmental Impact Summary Option C Parteen Basin Table 7.4 Summary of Capital / Operating / Whole Life Costs Table 8.1 Environmental Impact Summary Option H (Desalination) Table 8.2 Summary of Capital / Operating / Whole Life Costs Option H Table 8.3 Conjunctive Use of Liffey (Poulaphuca) and Barrow Table 10.1 Sustainability & Environmental Evaluation Rating Chart Table 10.2 Habitats Directive Assessment (HDA) Rating Table 10.3 Technical Assessment (Source) Table 10.4 Technical Assessment (Infrastructure) Table 10.5 Environmental Assessment (SEA) Table 10.6 Environmental Assessment (HDA) Table 10.7 Economic Assessment Table 10.8 Socio Economic Assessment Table 10.9 Evaluation Summary / Ranking of Options MDW0158RP0091 vii F02

9 Water Supply Project Dublin Region APPENDICES APPENDIX A DEMAND APPENDIX AA Demand Projections No. of Pages 1 AB Demand Review No. of Pages 147 APPENDIX B Shannon Modelling Report No. of Pages 51 APPENDIX C Groundwater Report No. of Pages 73 Appendix D National & Regional Context for Plan / Project 6 MDW0158RP0091 viii F02

10 1 INTRODUCTION The assessment of solutions for meeting the longterm water supply needs of the Dublin Region were undertaken within the legislative framework of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Directive / Process. The SEA process ( ) assessed the impacts of implementation of various water supply options contained within a draft Plan. The draft Plan was prepared in conjunction with specified Environmental Assessments and Appropriate Assessments under the Habitats Directive. The draft Plan and Environmental Reports were tabled for public consultation under the SEA process and feedback from the consultations were incorporated, as appropriate, into the draft Plan. The SEA process requires that the Plan (amended draft Plan) is adopted by the Competent Authority which initiated the SEA in this case Dublin City Council (DCC). Following adoption, an SEA Statement is published outlining the rationale for the recommendations in the Plan and how environmental considerations were accommodated in arriving at the recommendations. This (adopted) Plan has emerged from extensive feasibility studies involving assessments of the extent and timing of new supply needs in the Dublin, Mid East and Midlands Regions and options for meeting those needs. Extensive consultation with a wide range of stakeholders, under the SEA process, have led to the selection of a recommended solution for meeting longterm water supply needs in an environmentally sustainable manner which ensures that the development of the new supply minimises negative impacts on all communities this has been a key guiding principle of all the assessments to date and will continue to be the guiding principle as more detailed studies are undertaken on the recommended solution during the next stage of the project s development Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Planning involving the independent planning body An Bord Pleanála. This Plan acknowledges the significant input of all who have contributed to date during the SEA consultative phases, and DCC / RPS look forward to ongoing contributions from statutory & nonstatutory stakeholders as detailed consultations continue through the next stage of project development the EIA and planning stages. 1.1 BACKGROUND Under the Water Services Investment Programme (WSIP)*, Dublin City Council (DCC) were appointed by the Department of Environment Heritage and Local Government (DEHLG) in 2003 to undertake Feasibility Studies and prepare a Plan / Report for the purpose of identifying and recommending a preferred new major supply source to meet the longterm water supply needs of the Dublin Region (Water Supply Area). In carrying out the study, DCC act in a lead role on behalf of the seven Local Authorities in the Dublin Region (Water Supply Area) who receive their water supplies (in whole or in part) from existing sources and water treatment plants in the Region controlled and operated by DCC and / or Fingal County Council. Following a competitive procurement process an experienced international joint venture (JV) consultancy organisation, RPS Veolia JV, were appointed by DCC (2004) to undertake the Feasibility Studies and prepare the Plan / Report. The JV was lead by RPS. SEURECA, an international water consultancy organisation, wholly owned by Veolia Water, provided specialist inputs and international project references by means of which the proposals for the Dublin Region were benchmarked. *The WSIP is prepared by the Department of Environment Heritage and Local Government (DEHLG). The programme evolves from needs assessments received from all 34 Water Services Authorities in MDW0158Rp F02

11 Ireland. Accordingly, the WSIP programme represents a balanced national strategic programme of works designed to support the national socio-economic objectives established by Government in the National Development Plan and related Plans & Policies. 1.2 RELEVANT NATIONAL POLICY FRAMEWORK The National Policy context for this Plan would reference: Economic Policy; based on the National Development Plan, the National Spatial Strategy and the Governments policy towards developing The Smart Economy Environment and Water Resource Management; through the implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) under the River Basin District (RBD) management programme overseen by the Department of the Environment Heritage and Local Government (DEHLG) Water Service Delivery; with reference to the Water Services Act (2007) and the Water Services Investment Programme (WSIP) of the DEHLG for Planning; through the Planning and Development Act 2000, the Strategic Infrastructure Act, regional and local Development Plans Environmental Assessment & Protection ofhabitats; through the Strategic Environment Assessment (SEA) Regulations, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations, Habitats Directive and other relevant environmental protection legislation (European and National). For further details in relation to the National context within which this Plan / Project fits see Appendix D. 1.3 DUBLIN REGION (WATER SUPPLY AREA) The Dublin Region (Water Supply Area) is outlined in Figure 1.1. It includes the administrative areas of Dublin City, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal and South Dublin Counties, along with significant parts of Counties Wicklow, Meath and Kildare. Current population (2010) of the Dublin Region (Water Supply Area) is approx 1.5m people. The Greater Dublin Area (GDA) includes the administrative areas of Dublin City, Dun Laoghaire- Rathdown, Fingal, South Dublin and all of Kildare, Meath and Wicklow. Table 1.1 outlines the existing Dublin Region sources including the sustainable outputs from the water treatment plants which treat water (to drinking water) standard from these sources. MDW0158Rp F02

12 Figure 1.1 Greater Dublin Area / Dublin Region (Water Supply Area) MDW0158Rp F02

13 Table 1.1 Dublin Region Existing Water Supply Sources Water Treatment Plant Ballymore Eustace WTP (2010) Leixlip (2010) Planned Output (2014) Sustainable Output 318Mld* 148Mld 215Mld Licence In place since 1940 and reviewed periodically in light of changing needs. Abstractions from Poulaphuca Reservoir are regulated under longterm (historic) agreements with the ESB and are managed by ESB as part of overall dam management. In place since the 1960 s. Abstraction is through agreement with ESB and managed by ESB as part of overall dam management. Roundwood 75Mld The Vartry abstraction has been in place since The abstraction was covered under the 1861 Dublin Corporation Waterworks Act which enabled the Corporation to acquire the entire waterway, a bill was passed to allow this and to allow the Corporation to build the reservoir and provide them with the ability to buy land similar to the CPO procedures which Local Authorities now use. Ballyboden (Bohernabreena) 16Mld Abstractions from Bohernabreena have been in place since the 1880 s. Abstraction from Boherbreena reservoir was set up by the Rathmines and Pembroke township in the 1880 s to supply that area. This township was dissolved in 1932 and Dublin Corporation took over the management of this supply. Bog of the Ring 3Mld An ongoing monitoring programme was put in place by Fingal Co Co to establish the sustainable levels of abstraction (approx 3.0 Mld). Total Sustainable Water Availability from Existing Dublin Region sources 627Mld *1Mld = 1 million litres per day or one thousand cubic metres (m 3 ) per day 1.4 HISTORICAL CONTEXT The first significant public water supply to Dublin and Wicklow was the Vartry scheme constructed in the 1860s by the then Dublin Corporation (now Dublin City Council (DCC)) and remains in service over 130 years later. This scheme with its source at Roundwood includes a rock tunnel feeding twin trunk mains to the city and incorporates open storage reservoirs at Stillorgan. It replaced private water supplies, generally from groundwater sources. These had become polluted and were a major source of waterborne diseases that caused regular epidemics. Also in the 19th century, the Dodder scheme at Bohernabreena was also developed by Dublin City to supply the Rathgar/Pembroke area, with facilities for treatment at Ballyboden. MDW0158Rp F02

14 During the 1940s, the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) (a commercial semi state organisation) in conjunction with Dublin Corporation (now DCC) developed a joint venture scheme to provide dams at Poulaphuca and Leixlip on the River Liffey, which impounded water for power generation and for public water supplies. Water treatment plants were built initially at Ballymore Eustace and later at Leixlip. These were further developed and expanded over time as supply needs grew. Poulaphuca Reservoir Leixlip Reservoir The Vartry and Liffey schemes (which were visionary in their day), developed for the benefit of the Region by Dublin City, ensured long-term secure supplies of high-quality water for Dublin. They enabled its economic development and growth for over a century. Both schemes required the construction of significant infrastructure to convey water to locations which in many instances were over 50km from source. For their day, they were major engineering and economic feats. MDW0158Rp F02

15 Vartry Reservoir and Roundwood Water Treatment Plant As in the past, the Dublin Region is again approaching the stage where new long-term secure and sustainable supplies of water are critical to the next phase of its development, in order that it can continue to grow and contribute to the optimal performance of the state as a whole - economically, socially and environmentally - as envisaged in the National Spatial Strategy for balanced development which is a key component of the overall National Development Plan. Current supply / demand projections, which allow for the recession ( ) and include for ambitious demand management initiatives, strongly indicate that without supplies from a new major source of water, the development of the region is likely to be constrained over the next years. Delivery of a new source of adequate size within this timeframe will be challenging. 1.5 OVER RIDING PURPOSE The over riding purpose of this Plan is to: Assess the long-term water supply needs of the Dublin Region (Water Supply Area) in the context of projected economic growth strategies for the region and current / projected water supply & demand management initiatives Assess the need for future water supplies from a new source, the extent of the new supply need and the optimal timing of the new supply need from technical & operational perspectives Recommend a preferred new water supply scheme (to meet long-term water supply needs) and evaluate the technical, environmental, economic and socio-economic (stakeholder) aspects of the new scheme Evaluate & recommend procurement strategies and timelines for securing planning consent and implementation of a potential new scheme MDW0158Rp F02

16 This (2010) Plan builds on the initial 2006 draft Plan (3 Water Supply Options), the first phase of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA Phase ), public consultation in June / July 2006 and the subsequent adoption of SEA Phase 1 recommendations by Dublin City Council (Strategic Policy Committee) which established the framework for the subsequent evaluations of Shannon, Groundwater and Irish Sea (Desalination) sources as potential solutions for meeting the longterm water supply needs of the Dublin Region. This (2010) Plan also builds on the 2008 draft Plan which was tabled for public consultation during SEA Phase 2 (Nov 08 Feb 09) the 2008 draft Plan included feasibility assessments of 10 Water Supply Options identified during the SEA Phase 1 consultation process. 1.6 PROJECT DEVELOPMENT ( ) Figure 1.2 outlines the key milestones in the project s development from the initial strategic study in 1996 (Greater Dublin Water Supply Strategic Study GDWSSS 96) up to the present Preliminary Report (2010). Sections to describe in greater detail the key activities corresponding to the project milestones in Figure 1.2. MDW0158Rp F02

17 Figure 1.2 Project Milestones GDWSSS 1996 Potential New Source Need Identified YEAR 2000 Review of GDWSSS 96 Feasibility Study of 3 Options 2004/5 Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Phase 1 Jan July Options Formal Public Consultation (June 06 July 06) DCC Submission of Feasibility Study to DEHLG August 2006 Additional Stakeholder Feedback Aug Oct 2006 Recommendations SEA Phase 1 Dublin City Council (Oct / Nov 2006) Additional Shannon Options + Desalination Alternative Feasibility Study of 10 Options 2007/8 Draft Plan 2008 SEA Phase /9 Environmental Report Habitats Directive Assessment Report Public Consultation Draft Plan / Environmental Report / HDA Report November 2008 February 2009 Analysis of Public Consultation Feedback / Sustainability Assessments Feb - Oct 2009 Recommended Option (Shannon Lough Derg + External Storage) July 2010 Plan (Amended Draft Plan) Recommended Option DCC Adoption of Plan October 2010 MDW0158Rp F02

18 1.6.1 Greater Dublin Water Supply Strategic Study 1996 / Year 2000 Review The potential need for a new water supply source for Dublin was first identified (officially) in 1996 as part of a strategic study into the Dublin Region s longterm water supplies, carried out by the MDW0158Rp F02

19 Department of Environment Heritage and Local Government (Greater Dublin Water Supply Strategic Study 1996). This study was reviewed and updated in 2000 (Year 2000 Review) and three new supply options were shortlisted for further study (Desalination / Shannon Lough Ree / Liffey Barrow). The year 2000 review also recommended a reduction in leakage and development of existing Dublin supply sources to their sustainable limits as priority recommendations ahead of the new source proposal Feasibility Studies (3 Options) / SEA Phase 1 Stakeholder Consultations A Feasibility Study of the three shortlisted options was carried out in 2005, followed by the first phase of Strategic Environmental Assessment in 2006*. Formal public consultation (as required by SEA) took place in June / July The Feasibility Study and SEA Phase 1 recommended that the Shannon was preferable to Desalination / Liffey Barrow as a new supply source option and that the Lough Ree Shannon location should be investigated in greater detail, in the first instance, on account of its closest proximity to the Dublin Region. The Lough Ree recommendation was made subject to full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) being required, including the necessity for detailed hydrological modelling to identify with a high degree of confidence potential abstraction impacts on lake levels and flows. The recommendation recognised that availability of adequate water in Lough Ree for abstraction would require a significant degree of control of storage in the lake and that this would have to be reconciled with other competing interests (power generation, leisure boats, flooding, fisheries, etc). The need for a more detailed hydrological model was identified, in order to be able to accurately assess alternative management strategies and to take account of climate factors. *The Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Directive (2001/42/EEC) was transposed into national legislation in Ireland in July This legislation requires that certain Plans and Programmes prepared by statutory bodies, which are likely to have a significant impact on the environment, be subject to the SEA process. Article 3(2) of the SEA Directive makes SEA mandatory for plans and programmes: a) which are prepared for agriculture, forestry, fisheries, energy, industry, transport, waste management, water management, telecommunications, tourism, town and county planning or land use and which set the framework for future development consent for projects listed in Annexes I or II of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive (85/337/EEC); or b) which, in view of the likely effect on sites, have been determined to require assessment pursuant to Article 6 or 7 of the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) SEA Phase 1 Additional Stakeholder Consultations Following on from formal SEA public consultation in June / July 2006, further consultation continued (August October 2006) primarily with the (recently formed) statutory Shannon International River Basin District Advisory Council (ShIRBDAC) and non-statutory Shannon Protection Alliance (SPA). Both of these groups represented practically all Shannon stakeholders and enabled a more focused approach to stakeholder engagement than had been available during earlier stakeholder consultations as part of the Feasibility Study and SEA Phase 1 formal public consultation process. Between August & October 2006, many new issues arose in relation to the general lack of consensus among stakeholders concerning the existing management & operation of the Shannon (by statutory operators ESB and Waterways Ireland). These issues were more numerous and detailed than the feedback issues which had emerged during the SEA Phase 1 formal public consultation period in June / July The stakeholder feedback particularly underlined the lack of consensus between navigation interests and riparian landowners in relation to water levels (flooding) in Lough Ree and downstream on the Shannon Callows. As a result, the controls and operational changes (at Athlone Weir), necessary to enable 350Mld to be abstracted from Lough Ree could not be relied upon with a MDW0158Rp F02

20 sufficient degree of certainty. Without these controls prioritised for water abstraction, the required capacity could not be guaranteed as being available for Lough Ree Dublin City Council Strategic Policy Committee / Expanded Range of Options During August October 2006, DCC and its advisers (RPS) concluded that the range of options which had been considered during SEA Phase 1 was too narrow and that further studies (including appropriate modelling support) involving a wider range of options were required to identify the optimum solution to the Dublin (& Mid East) Region s impending water supply problems. In October / November of 2006, the Strategic Policy Committee of Dublin City Council accepted the recommendations which emerged from the first phase of Strategic Environmental Assessment. They agreed that additional Shannon / Groundwater options should be investigated in greater detail and also stipulated that the Desalination Option was to be investigated at the same level of detail as the Shannon options. The wider range of options (identified from the stakeholder feedback) included Lough Derg, Parteen Basin, use of external storage (cutaway bogs) and potential groundwater options in addition to a more proactive programme of leakage management and water conservation. As a consequence of the extensive stakeholder feedback, the initial range of options (3 No) was expanded by an additional 7 No options bringing the total for consideration to 10 No Feasibility Studies (10 Options) / SEA Phase 2 / Public Consultation Feasibility Studies of the expanded range of options were carried out in 2007 & 2008 including extensive consultations with statutory stakeholders. A second phase of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA Ph2) commenced in early Formal public consultation (as required by the SEA process) took place from November 2008 to February 2009 on the expanded range of potential water supply options. Information in relation to the project was lodged in hardcopy format in 17 Local Authority libraries and all data was made available digitally via a dedicated project website. The public were informed of the availability of project data via newspaper advertisements in the Irish Times, Irish Independent and Belfast Telegraph on 22 November During the public consultation period, 31 presentations were made to a wide variety of stakeholders and considerable feedback was received in subsequent Question & Answer sessions which were minuted and recorded. The dedicated project website registered in excess of 2,500 hits. At the end of the formal public consultation period on 27 Feb 2009, in excess of 50 formal submissions (written & ) had been received from stakeholders and the general public (see Table 1.2). Over the consultation period, regular interviews with local radio stations and local newspapers (in the Shannon Catchment Area and in Dublin) also assisted in informing the public on the progress of the studies and advised of the availability of project details in newsletters / Local Authority libraries and on the dedicated project website. MDW0158Rp F02

21 Table 1.2 SEA Phase 2 Public Consultation Stakeholder Presentations / Submissions - An Taisce - Birdwatch Ireland - Bord na Mona - Border Midland and Western Regional Assembly - Brian Pope (member of public) - Chamber s Ireland - Claire Wheeler Green Party - Clare County Council (Clare Co Co) - Dublin City Council Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) - Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (DCENR) - Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government (DEHLG) - DEHLG (National Parks and Wildlife Service) - Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Co Co (DLRCC) SPC - DEHLG (The architectural heritage advisory unit, The archaeological underwater unit and the national monuments unit) - Dublin City Business Association (DCBA) - Dublin Tourism - Eastern Regional Fisheries Board (ERFB) - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Electricity Supply Board (ESB) - Fáilte Ireland - Fintan Donnelly (member of public) - Galway Co Co - Galway Co Co SPC - Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI) - GMC Contractors - Golden Eagle Trust - Hugh Lee (member of public) - Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC) - Irish Farmers Association (IFA) - Irish Hotels Federation - Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI) - James Fenwick (former Dublin City Engineer) - John McGinley (member of public) - Ken Irvine (Environmental Expert) - Kildare Co Co SPC - Lansdowne Road Developments - Laois County Council - Lisheen Mines - Longford Co Co - Longford Heritage Forum - Lough Derg Anglers Association - Lough Derg Science Group (LDSG) - Lough Derg Science Group, Shannon IRBD and Limerick County Council - Mid East Regional Authority - Mid West Regional Authorities - Midlands Regional Authority - North Tipperary SPC - Northern Ireland Environment Agency - Offaly Co Co - Roscommon County Council - Shannon International River Basin District (ShIRBD) Advisory Council Members - ShIRBD Management and Steering Group - ShIRBD - Included copies of Submissions from SWAN (BirdWatch Ireland rep),swan (SOLD and VOICE rep), IFA representative and Chairman of the Advisory Council - ShIRBD - Limerick Co Co - Shannon Protection Alliance - Shannon Region Fisheries Board (ShRFB) - Sinn Fein Dublin - Sinn Fein Nenagh - Sustainable Development Ireland - Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) (SOLD and VOICE rep) - The Heritage Council - Warren Whitney (member of public) - Waterways Ireland - West Regional Authority - Westmeath Co Co - Wine Board Ireland MDW0158Rp F02

22 Water Supply Project Dublin Region Selection of Recommended Option / Stakeholder Feedback Feedback from the SEA Phase 2 public consultation process, technical,environmental and economic analyses (sustainability assessments) resulted in the recommendation of a preferred water supply option for the Dublin & Mid East Regions (Northern Lough Derg + External Storage) see Section This Plan recommends that this option be brought forward into the formal planning process involving An Bord Pleanála which is the next stage in the overall development of this project. incorporates relevant SEA stakeholder feedback which arose from public consultation and the findings of the SEA Environmental Report and HDA Report. As a result of the extensive feedback and changed circumstances since 2008 (economic conditions and proposed government domestic metering & charging policies), this Plan re-visits assumptions in the 2008 draft Plan in the following areas; Population projections ( Regional Planning Guidelines) Levels of personal water consumption (per capita consumption pcc) in light of the impending introduction of domestic water metering & volumetric charging (new Government policy) Reduced levels of customer leakage (domestic water metering & volumetric charging) Distribution network leakage through active leakage management and ongoing network rehabilitation programmes Reduced non-domestic water demand (economic downturn) Various technical & environmental issues which arose as part of the option evaluation process A comprehensive account of all issues raised in relation to the 2008 Draft Plan during SEA public consultation is available in the Public Consultation Report on the dedicated project website ; / publicconsultationreport. 1.7 NEED FOR PROJECT Government Economic Growth Policy High level Irish Government policy in relation to economic growth is set out in the National Spatial Strategy (NSS) and National Development Plan (NDP). Both of these policy documents recognise that national economic-growth objectives will continue to require managed development of the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) / Dublin Region to its full potential. The Greater Dublin Region is the key economic driver of the country as a whole, with over 50% of economic growth generated there. Economic growth objectives are provided for in the (Dublin & Mid East) Regional Planning Guidelines ( ), supported by Development Plans in each Local Authority area within the Regions. The planned growth objectives in the Dublin & Mid East Regions as envisaged in the ( ) Regional Planning Guidelines and National Spatial Strategy form the basis for estimating the extent of water availability which must be provided for, in order to sustain these economic growth targets. These longterm growth forecasts take account of high and low / negative growth economic cycles and extend the consistent longterm growth patterns for the Regions since 1960 (see Figure 1.5). MDW0158RP F02

23 Water Supply Project Dublin Region Headroom / Security of Supply Demand for treated water in the Dublin Region (Water Supply Area) currently exceeds the sustainable production capability of the existing water treatment plants at Ballymore Eustace, Leixlip, Roundwood and Ballyboden. As a consequence, these plants are being operated in an unsustainable manner in order to meet day to day demand requirements. This knife edge operational regime and lack of headroom availability in the Region presents an ever increasing risk to continuous supply availability, particularly from supply network failure, as critical infrastructure components cannot be taken out of service and upgraded as appropriate. Availability of adequate headroom is essential for servicing the needs of future industrial and other employment led demand in the Region as the economy recovers. Such headroom forms an essential component of water supply infrastructure for comparable conurbations in Europe and other developed countries. The extended cold spell experienced in Dublin (January 2010) gave rise to water shortages as a result of short term demand increases in conjunction with a lack of headroom capacity in the supply system. This has underlined the vulnerability of the supply in the absence of a new major source for the Region. Water supply management in the Region (pending the arrival of supplies from a new source) will continue to be at risk from lack of adequate headroom capacity Water Demand Growth Whilst operating with little or no headroom, demand growth over the past decade in the Dublin Region has largely been met by water savings from leakage management, water conservation initiatives, incremental expansion of Ballymore Eustace water treatment plant and operation of all treatment plants beyond their sustainable production capacities. Short term future demand growth will continue to require further aggressive water savings from sustained leakage management and water conservation, including planned network rehabilitation, in combination with additional water availability resulting from the expansion of Ballymore Eustace and Leixlip water treatment plants to their maximum sustainable limits. The scale of increased water availability from these initiatives, however, will at best maintain the status quo taking account of the likely increasing short term water demand growth in the Region. The increased water availability from these initiatives will not address the lack of strategic headroom capacity in the Region and will do nothing to reduce vulnerability to short term contingencies (water demand increases resulting from severe climatic conditions or reduced production output resulting from outages) Demand / Supply Projections The assessments of long term water supply needs for the Dublin Region were carried out in the context of best practice water conservation measures being implemented within the region. Between 1996 and 2002, leakage was reduced from 42% to 28% primarily through active leakage management programmes. Reducing leakage levels below 28% requires ongoing sustained network rehabilitation a substantial replacement programme (costing 120m) began in Metering of all non domestic water supplies was completed in early 2009 and planning has commenced in relation to extending metering to all domestic consumers and achieving the benefits of use related charging for water within the next 5 10 years, in line with indications signalled by Government in draft Budget 2010 with respect to metering and volumetric charging for domestic water supplies. The analysis of projected water demand growth in the Dublin Region for the period, has built on the findings of the DEHLG 1996 and 2000 studies updated to take account of the proposed policy to meter all customers (domestic as well as non-domestic) and to optimise water management. MDW0158RP F02

24 Water Supply Project Dublin Region Two demand scenarios have emerged from the projected demand growth analyses Maximum Planning Scenario & Minimum Planning Scenario. The Maximum Planning Scenario, was prepared in 2007 for Phase 2 of the Strategic Environmental Assessment process. The significant growth in water demand which occurred between 1996 and 2007 was largely met by increased production from existing sources combined with operational initiatives to reduce leakage. The 2007 demand forecasts largely concentrated on a continuation of this approach with a strong emphasis on network rehabilitation and active leakage control programmes with demand management strategies limited to customer awareness programmes, building bye-laws, promotion of water efficient appliances and 100% metering of the non-domestic sector.the need for / timing of potential supplies from a new source were evaluated against this background with lower emphasis on extensive domestic demand management initiatives in the absence of policies requiring domestic metering & charging. This situation changed significantly in the latter half of 2009, with the publication of draft Budget 2010, which signalled proposed changes to Government Policy in relation to domestic metering and volumetric charging for water. The 2007 demand projections were revised in 2009 /10 to take account of the proposed Domestic Metering & Charging Policy changes (see Appendix A). A Demand Review report was prepared (see Appendix AB) in order to inform the Plan of the impacts which could be anticipated on demand growth from the proposed policy changes. The Demand Review identified a Minimum Achievable scenario which forms the basis for the Minimum Planning Scenario on which the recommendations in this Plan are based. The Minimum Achievable / Minimum Planning Scenario assumes that best practice water conservation measures are being implemented in the Dublin Region in advance of the introduction of any supplies from a new source. Domestic demand growth forecasts assume that personal consumption is reduced by up to 15% as a result of the proposed policy changes. Customer leakage is reduced by up to 70%. Distribution system leakage is reduced from 29% to 20% through active leakage management and network rehabilitation. Forecast non domestic demand growth rates are reduced by up to 30% to reflect the current economic slowdown ( ). The targeted water savings for the Minimum Planning Scenario scenario are ambitious considering Dublin s starting position, nevertheless they have been assessed as potentially achievable within acceptable budgetary and implementation risk constraints. This scenario is regarded as the best practical environmental & economic scenario and is recommended in this Plan as the scenario on which planning for the development of a new water supply is based. Details of the Minimum Planning Scenario demand projections are contained in Appendix A. Appendix AB contains detailed reviews of various demand components including international best practice comparisons and looks at cost / risk implications for extensive demand management initiatives. The detailed supply / demand assessments (Chapter 2 & Appendix A), also include updated estimates of sustainable production from existing Dublin Region sources. Approx 85% of Dublin s water is abstracted from two locations on the River Liffey. Water abstracted from Poulaphuca on the Upper Liffey is treated at Ballymore Eustace Water Treatment Plant (BME WTP) and water abstracted from Leixlip on the Lower Liffey is treated at Leixlip Water Treatment Plant (WTP). The remainder of the Region s supply is abstracted from the River Vartry and River Dodder and some groundwater sources in Fingal and Kildare (Kildare s dependence on Dublin supply sources will reduce by 10Mld 20Mld with the development of a new Barrow source). All of these existing sources (particularly BME & Leixlip) are currently being developed to their sustainable supply limits estimated at approx 627Mld (see Chapter 2 & Appendix A). Existing sources are anticipated to be fully developed by approx 2013 /14 (with the completion of Leixlip WTP expansion). MDW0158RP F02

25 Water Supply Project Dublin Region The sustainable production levels of BME, Leixlip, Roundwood and Ballyboden Treatment Plants are based on the historical capacity of the (Liffey, Vartry, Dodder) sources and make no allowance for projected reduced Summer flows due to Climate Change effects (see Section 1.7.8). Such effects in a dry Summer could reduce the level of sustainable abstractions available for the Region. In summary, projections based on realistic supply capabilities and ambitious demand management targets predict that supplies from a new supply source are highly likely to be required (by 2020 latest) to ensure guaranteed supply availability into the future and satisfy the future needs of projected population and economic growth in the Region. These ambitious projections have a certain amount of risk which must be managed and any assumption that the projected scenario would occur over a longer period carries a very high level of risk that is likely to be unacceptable from a strategic planning viewpoint Timing of New Supply Requirements As outlined in Section 1.7.4, two principal Demand Planning Scenarios emerged from the demand analyses ( Minimum Planning Scenario & Maximum Planning Scenario ). The Minimum Planning Scenario is the recommended Planning Scenario as it entails an overall integrated water resource management solution for the Dublin Region. This type of approach was advocated in much of the SEA public consultation stakeholder feedback which is fully accounted for in this scenario. The Minimum Planning Scenario main assumptions are summarised as follows; - Full introduction of Domestic Metering & Charging by Reductions of up to 20% in personal usage (resulting from metering & charging) - Reductions of up to 70% in customer leakage (resulting from metering & charging) - Promotion of best practice demand management including bye-laws to encourage low water use - Reductions in Distribution Network Leakage (Network Rehabilitation & Active Leakage Control) to 20% by 2040 from 29% (2010) - Low to Medium Economic Growth (all zoned lands developed by 2040 as opposed to original SEA proposal of 2031) In the Minimum Planning demand growth scenario, supplies from a new source will be required by (latest) 2022 when average day demand equals the sustainable production capacity of existing sources (627Mld). The timing of new supply requirements for this scenario is illustrated (solid green line) in Figure 1.3 If planned leakage targets or savings from reduced personal consumption experience slippage, then the demand projections represented by the solid green line will move backwards towards the red line necessitating an earlier need for water supplies from a new source. In the Maximum demand growth scenario (prepared in 2007 for Phase 2 of the Strategic Environmental Assessment process) involving medium to high economic growth rates and limited savings from demand management, water conservation measures & leakage management, supplies from a new source could be required as early as 2016 (coloured red) in Figure 1.3. In order to plan prudently for potential slippages in achievement of water savings from leakage reductions and water conservation, this Report recommends that planning commences now in order to ensure that supplies from a new source can be made available from 2020 onwards. This date represents the most likely earliest delivery date for the project, assuming the planning process commences in 2010 (Planning Process 4 years / Procurement 2 years / Construction 4 years). MDW0158RP F02