Councillors oppose Shannon pipe project
Nenagh Municipal District councillors have formally opposed Uisce Éireann's water supply project, which plans to divert water from the Shannon to Dublin.
In a submission to the non-statutory public consultation on the plan, the councillors describe the plan - with an estimated cost of up to €10 billion - as “an unsustainable misuse of taxpayers' money, particularly when the Mid-West region - serving 40% of the country's population - desperately needs investment in its own water and wastewater infrastructure.
“The lack of adequate infrastructure in the Nenagh MD area is stifling development,” the councillors' submission reads, “particularly in towns such as Nenagh, Silvermines, Ballycommon, Portroe, and Cloughjordan, where wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are already at or overcapacity. Additionally, outdated infrastructure worsens poor water quality and pollution, especially in the Nenagh River.
“Instead of prioritising a costly and environmentally damaging pipeline (when Ireland is facing billions of euros of EU fines due to poor river quality) immediate investment should be directed toward improving regional water services."
POINTS OF NOTE
1. Dublin's water issue. A management problem, not a water shortage.
“The argument that Dublin faces a water shortage is fundamentally flawed. The real issue lies in Dublin's water management system, not a lack of supply. Evidence from the last five years (March 2019 - January 2024) shows that Dublin's water crises were caused by burst water pipes (eight incidents), water treatment plant failures (five).
“A new 170 km pipeline from the Shannon will not address these issues. Dublin's water mains are at crises point and urgently need replacing. Instead of wasting €10 billion on an unnecessary pipeline, a large-scale pipe replacement programme - covering at least 2% of Dublin's network - would be a far more effective solution.
2. Inaccurate demand projections and overestimated needs.
“Uisce Éireann's demand projections are outdated and unreliable,” the submission states, referencing local landowner Emma Kennedy's report about leakage rates and demand estimates.
“Its analysis has yet to be proven wrong,” the councillors stated. “Additionally, the original water demand forecasts were based on pre-Covid populations trends.
With the rise of hybrid working, Dublin's long term water needs have changed. Companies such as Microsoft have reported that 30% of their workforce now works remotely, significantly reducing daily water demand in office spaces.
“Furthermore, Uisce Éireann's own water capacity reports show that no part of Dublin is expected to face water shortages up to 2030. An effectively managed mains replacement programme would eliminate any justification for the Shannon Pipeline.
3. Environmental and ecological concerns. “The proposed water abstraction site in within a Natura 2000 area, protected under two EU directives. The designation confirms that the site is one of the most ecologically sensitive locations in Ireland. Allowing water abstraction on this scale would set a dangerous precedent and contradict national and EU environmental protections.
“Uisce Éireann's claim that only 2% of the current ESB-controlled flow would be diverted is misleading. The ESB itself has struggled with low water levels, leading to a 14-day shutdown in electricity generation in August 2021 due to insufficient water. If the ESB cannot maintain stable water levels for energy production, there is no excess capacity for a project of this magnitude.
4. Regional inequality and economic impact. “This project threatens to further imbalance regional development by diverting a critical natural resource away from the Mid-West. Rather than investing in much needed upgrades to local WWTPs and drinking water systems, the government is prioritising a pipeline that offers no benefit to our region. We call on Tipperary, Limerick and Clare County councils to conduct an independent regional water needs analysis before Uisce Éireann submits an application to An Bord Pleanála.
5. Demand for an independent review and a development levy. “Given the significant concerns surrounding this project, we demand (1) an independent review of Dublin's actual water needs and the feasibility of alternative solutions; (2) a Development Contribution Levy (Class 18) or an abstraction levy to ensure that, if the project goes ahead against all reasonable objections, Tipperary County Council benefits financially and controls the amount of water going out of the region. This levy should mandate a metre at abstraction point, allowing local authorities to monitor water use and direct funds towards regional infrastructure improvements in Tipperary.”
“We adamantly oppose the Shannon Pipeline (Eastern and Midlands Water Supply Project) due to its flawed justification, environmental risks, massive waste of taxpayers' money, and negative regional impact.”
There are better, more sustainable alternatives, such as upgrading Dublin's water infrastructure, that would provide long term solutions. We urge to prioritise a fair and efficient use of Ireland's water resources."