COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

MOTION NO. 13

MOTION: Councillor T. Gilligan

That this Committee strongly supports the identification of an independent source of water and water sanitation in the Clondalkin area.

REPORT:

There are only two sources of water in the Clondalkin area :- The Camac River and the Grand Canal. South Dublin County Council has no rights over the waters in the Grand Canal which is vested in Waterways Ireland but even if we did, we would not be taking water from this great amenity. The other possible source is the river Camac, however, flows in the summer are quite sluggish and would not be able to sustain a Water Treatment Plant and the flora and fauna and fish life in the river at the same time. All of the drinking water for the Clondalkin area comes from the River Liffey through the two large Drinking Water Treatment Plants at Ballymore Eustace and Leixlip. Even a river as large as the Liffey is reaching the limit of how much water can be extracted from it without endangering its eco-system. This is the reason why another water source for the Dublin Region, probably the River Shannon is being looked into at the moment. Drinking Water production at the four Treatment Plants in the Dublin region only just outstrips demand most of the time, but as has happened twice in 2010 when demand outstrips production water restrictions need to be introduced.