Irish Water regional office to be located in Limerick

CONNOLLY, Ireland - July 24, 2013 - PRLog -- The announcement today by the Department of Environment, Community & Local Government of its decision to locate one of its eight regional Irish Water offices in Limerick has been welcomed by the Mayor and Cathaoirleach of Limerick.

The Limerick City office is one of three Southern Regional offices with two others being located in Mallow in County Cork and in Kilkenny City.

The locations of the four other regional Irish Water offices are Dublin City, Mullingar (Eastern/Midlands region), Castlebar, Cavan (Connaught/Ulster region) and Donegal (Connaught/Ulster region).

Welcoming the news, Mayor of Limerick Cllr. Kathleen Leddin said: “This move is especially welcome for the City as it will generate between approximately 20 jobs with additional positions being filled by local authority staff. Today’s announcement represents a significant milestone in the handover of responsibility for the delivery of water services from local authorities in 2014. Irish Water’s Limerick office will support the provision of water and wastewater services and will undertake regional work associated with operations, asset management and certain capital projects.”

Commenting on the announcement, Cllr. John Sheahan, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council said: “Limerick City and County Councils will continue to play a central role in the delivery of water and wastewater services by assisting Irish Water in its operations from its new Regional Office. I want to congratulate staff of the local authorities, both past and present, who over the years have committed their time and expertise to ensuring that thousands of customers are delivered high quality drinking water. Planning, organisation and hard work by staff has been the key and the Councils look forward to engaging with Irish Water to continue to deliver a world-class water and wastewater system for citizens, that protects public health and the environment.”

As a result of the decision by government to commence a project of meter installation in domestic premises, staff from Limerick City and County Councils have commenced a survey of approximately 55,000 domestic water connections in Limerick, in order to gather information to support the installation of water meters for domestic consumers.

Environment Minister Phil Hogan today announced that water charges will commence in October 2014 with the first bills, rates for which have yet to be set by the Energy Regulator, will be introduced by January 2015.