Uisce Éireann concerned over River Liffey water supply

The current water supply for the eastern and midlands region is far too dependent on the River Liffey, the Oireachtas Housing Committee will hear today.

The CEO of Uisce Éireann, Niall Gleeson, will tell the committee that the river, which is the main water supply source for 1.7 million people, is extremely sensitive to drought and contamination.

By 2044, this region will need 34% more water than the current system can provide, Uisce Éireann believes.

“Not only is this supply deficit and lack of resilience unsafe for human health, it will further constrain our ability to attract investment and meet demands for housing,” Mr Gleeson will say in his opening address to the committee.

The organisation wants the Water Supply Project for the region to proceed urgently to ensure Dublin, Meath, Kildare and Wicklow has a secure water supply.

Further connections along the project’s “spine” will service communities in north Tipperary, Offaly, and Westmeath.

It will also allow the redirection of water currently supplying Dublin to Louth, Meath, Kildare, Carlow, and Wicklow.

The project will directly benefit 2.5 million people across the country and support sustainable growth across the region, Uisce Éireann says.