Services » Environment

WATER SERVICES INVESTMENT PROGRAMME

Section 1 – Water Schemes which are included in the Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2012

The Water Services Investment Programme is a rolling investment programme which itemises schemes to improve both drinking water quality/quantity and the safe disposal of wastewater. The Water Services Investment Programme for the period 2010 – 2012 has been issued by the Department of the Environment Heritage & Local Government. Items on this programme have been divided into two types of projects:

• Contracts to start 2010 – 2012
• Schemes at Planning Stage 2010 - 2012

The contracts and schemes on the Water Services Investment Programme relating to Cork City Council are outlined below.

Contracts to Start 2010-2012

1. Rising Mains Replacement

Under the Water Services Investment Programme a sum of €1.9m has been provided for the replacement of the rising mains from the Lee Road Waterworks to the reservoir at Shanakiel. A Preliminary Report for the project has been approved by the DOEHLG and a construction stage budget application has also been approved.

A competition was held for the appointment of consulting engineers for the detailed design and construction stages of the project. An independent board has assessed the tenders and recommended a preferred consulting engineer. It is envisaged that this engineer will be appointed shortly.

2. Lee Road Waterworks Improvement Scheme

This scheme is listed in the Water Services Investment Programme with an allocation of €17.5m. The scheme provides for large-scale improvements and upgrading of the Lee Road Waterworks with a view to ensuring that the quality of drinking water continues to be in full compliance with the E.U. Drinking Water Directive and that the Plant meets all Environmental requirements.

A revised Procurement Appraisal Report was prepared in accordance with the "Policy Framework for P.P.P. in Ireland – Project Implementation in the Local Government Sector" and submitted to the DoEHLG.

Following the major flooding incident in November 2009, the DOEHLG requested that Cork City Council submit a site review report for the proposed upgrade scheme in the context of Lee Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Study. In March 2010, this site review report was submitted to the DOEHLG for consideration. The DOEHLG reverted to the Council with several queries on the site review report. The Council has prepared a response to these queries as a Flood Risk Review Addendum Report and this response was submitted to DOEHLG in October 2010.

On 14th April, 2011, the department wrote to Cork City Council indicating acceptance of the Addendum Report’s recommendation that a new stand alone plant be constructed on the site to the west of the existing facility. The department also indicated that it considers the project should be progressed using a Design, Build and Operate (DBO) approach. In such a DBO type arrangement, it is likely that the successful bidder would operate the new plant for a period usually up to 20 years.

3. Docklands Water Supply Scheme – Contract 1 (Network)

A sum of €5.6M is included in the Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2012 in respect of the water supply for the proposed Docklands Development. A planning stage budget has been approved by DOEHLG.

The consulting engineer for the project has submitted a draft preliminary report. This report is being reviewed by Cork City Council.

4. Cork City Water Supply Scheme – Network (Wilton Lee Road Main)

A sum of €2.9M has been included in the Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2012 to cover the cost of a trunk main which will complete the link between the Cork Harbour and City scheme and the Lee Road Treatment Plant.

The DOEHLG has recently approved a budget for the planning stage of this project. The Council has commenced the procurement process for the appointment of a consulting engineer for the project by placing a contract notice seeking expressions of interest from interested parties. These expressions of interest have been received. It is envisaged that five consultants will be shortlisted and these will be invited to tender for the consultant services element of the project.

5. Water Conservation Stage 3 Works – Watermains Rehabilitation Project Phase 1

The all in cost of the rehabilitation of the distribution system has been estimated at €127.9m with the work to be carried out in stages. A sum of €12.2m has been included in the Water Services Investment Programme in respect of this scheme. Following discussions with DOEHLG the preliminary report for watermain rehabilitation was revised. The revised preliminary report was forwarded to DOEHLG and the Council has also replied to further queries from the Department.

The Council has recently applied to the DOEHLG for a budget to begin rehabilitation works under this scheme.

The Council has commenced the procurement process for the appointment of a consulting engineer for the project by placing a contract notice seeking expressions of interest from interested parties. These expressions of interest have been received. It is envisaged that five consultants will be shortlisted and these will be invited to tender for the consultant services element of the project.

Schemes at Planning Stages 2010-2012

1. Cork City Water Supply Scheme - (Storage at Low Intermediate Level)

The 2007-2009 Water Services Investment Programme included separate schemes for the provision of increased low level reservoir storage at Shanakiel and intermediate level storage at Harbour View Road. The Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012 has retained and amalgamated both of these schemes into a single one. In light of this, the project will assess the overall optimum volume of low and intermediate level storage to be provided. The project will also assess the optimum means of providing cross connections between the reservoirs, to provide security of supply.

The planning stage budget application for this project will be sent to DOEHLG in the second quarter of this year. This will include consultant prequalification and tender documents prepared in accordance with the latest guidelines issued by the Dept of Finance. The process of appointing a consultant for this project will commence during this year subject to DOEHLG approval.

2. Cork City Water Supply Scheme – (Storage Mt Elma, Ballincollig & Chetwynd)

This scheme has been included in the Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012 for increased storage in the Mt Elma, Ballincollig and Chetwynd areas. This scheme is being progressed by Cork County Council as most of it relates to areas in Cork County Council jurisdiction.

3. Carrigrennan Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade

This scheme has been included in the new Water Services Investment Programme. It provides for the addition of nutrient removal facilities and will be in planning over the 2010-2012 period.

4. Docklands Sewerage Scheme

This scheme has been included in the new Water Services Investment Programme. It envisages the provision of new /additional wastewater network facilities in the Docklands area and will be in planning over the 2010-2012 period.

5. Water Conservation Stage 3 works

This scheme has been included in the new Water Services Investment Programme. It envisages a further phase of mains replacement and will be in planning over the 2010-2012 period.