Up to €15,000 in grants for group water schemes

News that households in group water schemes can get up to €15,000 in grant aid to improve water quality has been welcomed by members of Westmeath County Council. The council are already in talks with group water and sewage scheme principals in preparation for submitting schemes for funding before April 12.

Director of services, Deirdre Reilly, told the monthly meeting of the council that there are some “orphan schemes” – where it is not known who the principal is – and she asked councillors to help in that regard.

Cllr Frank McDermott said he has been promoting group water schemes for 40 years. He is hopeful that the Ballymanus Ballycomoyle scheme can benefit from the grant increase from €9,000 to €15,000 per household.

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage will be meeting local authorities in the coming weeks and will organise workshops to support them in making submissions. The National Federation for Group Water Schemes has been asked to provide support to their members in preparing their applications. No announcement has yet been made regarding group sewage schemes.