Water from the lower part of the river Shannon will be abstracted and piped over 170km to the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), according to the latest Water Supply Project published by Irish Water.

The organisation say that the establishment of a new water source is critical for the growing population in the GDA, and service areas en route, including Mullingar.

Leakage in the Greater Dublin Area network is at 36%

“The future water needs of Dublin and the Midlands cannot be met by fixing leaks alone.

“Leakage in the Greater Dublin Area network is at 36% and there are 9,000km of water pipes with over 600,000 connections,” Head of Asset Management in Irish Water, Sean Laffey, said.

“Irish Water is now satisfied beyond doubt that the preferred Parteen Basin option is the correct scheme and its delivery is critical for the future.

“This option will bring the widest benefit to the greatest number of people with the least environmental impact and in the most cost effective manner.”

Parteen water abstraction

Irish Water stated: "By 2050, population and business growth in the Eastern and Midlands Region is forecast to require in excess of 300 million litres of water per day in addition to supplies available from existing sources."

The project will cost up to €1.3bn and be required to acquire a water abstraction licence in addition to the planning application, which they hope to go to An Bord Pleanála in 2019.

During the consultation, Irish Water had six landowner consultation meetings and estimate that up to 500 landowners attended meetings.

Irish Water plan to have the system in place by 2025, at which point they believe it will be critical to have an increased supply of water to meet the demands of expected population growth.

Read more

Farm inspections to crack down on water quality

Aurivo and LacPatrick fail to meet environmental standards - EPA