This article is from page 8 of the 2011-09-06 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 8 JPG
DETAILS of a major infrastructure project that would see water taken from the River Shannon to supply homes and businesses in the Dublin region have gone on public display.
According to Dublin City Council, the recommended preferred scheme would involve the “abstraction of raw water from northern Lough Derg on the River Shannon and pumping of raw water from Lough Derg to Garryhinch cutaway bog, owned by Bord na Mona, located near Portarlington”.
The report explains that there would be “Large scale storage of raw water within Garryhinch cutaway bog and treatment facilities at the site to produce potable water; Delivery of treated water to a termination reservoir in the Dublin region and onward delivery of treated water from the termination reservoir to Saggart and Peamount service reservoirs.”
If passed by An Bord Pleanála, the plan would see abstraction “from north eastern Lough Derg of up to 410Ml/d of raw water (when Shannon flow conditions permit), pumping in a twin rising main to large raw water storage at Garryhinch, treatment at Garryhinch and treated water transmission to Dublin, mid-east and midlands regions.”
According to the Water Supply Project report, the storage of raw water will secure water supplies “while supporting the development of water- based amenities and environmental parks with knock-on tourism benefits for the midlands as a secondary benefit.”
The report continues, “Proposed eco-tourism facilities at the site are being modelled on similar facilities which were created at Rutland in the UK by Anglian Water where bird watching, angling and water sports have considerably enhanced the economic earning potential of the region.”
Proposed uses for the site at Garryhinch include dingy sailing, kayaking, bird watching, kite surfing and ecology zones. Details of the plan along with a strategic environmental assessment are available at the offices of Clare County Council.