The Government’s housing targets in Dublin, where a substantial 40% of Ireland’s inhabitants reside, are under threat due to critical water supply issues that could continue up until the 2030s. Uisce Éireann, Ireland’s state-run water utility business, has aired concerns about the possibly imminent inability to service new properties in the Greater Dublin Area due to acute supply constraints. Furthermore, major non-domestic users might have to be disconnected as well.
There has been a significant growth in the region’s water consumption over the past year by an amount equal to the needs of an additional 120,000 residences. Every day, 628 million litres of water is used, which is 13 million litres more than the system was designed to distribute efficiently. This information comes from the Water Forum, a regulatory advisory body that has consistently raised the alarm about these issues.
It is believed that a Housing Commission report due out soon predicts grave impacts on the construction of new homes due to these water shortages. It is rumoured that the creation of countless homes might be interrupted by a severe scarcity of water in the region over the course of the next six years.
In Dublin, the state of the water supply is extremely precarious. A plea from Uisce Éireann for water conservation even during the winter months has served as a severe warning. Exacerbating the situation are additional issues such as the over-dependence on the River Liffey for drinking water and consistently high leakage rates. These problems are particularly severe in the Dublin area, which is experiencing a surge in population and economic growth.
The issue is expected to worsen before improvements are seen. Various stakeholders concur that the only long-term solution lies in sourcing water from the River Shannon to the eastern region, although this solution is many years from becoming a reality.
Further emphasising the gravity of the situation, Conor O’Connell, director of the Irish Home Builders’ Association, stated that new homes could not be constructed without adequate water supplies. He pointed out that the delivery of critical infrastructure is a priority issue that needs immediate attention if housing has to keep pace with population growth.
Uisce Éireann, Ireland’s water utility company, has issued a strong advisory to the Government emphasising that the execution of their many projects is happening too slowly, and requires necessary approval protocols, as informed by O’Connell. The situation is only likely to worsen as projections predict an upswing in housing targets to a staggering 60,000 new constructions annually by 2030. This makes an already congested scenario even more challenging due to inadequacies in public resources investment, leaving the State having to scramble to catch up.
Revisions of housing targets are expected to be made after publication of a structural housing demand report from the Economic and Social Research Institute, the Government’s intellectual hub for economic matters, and insights from the Housing Commission, with contributions from property developers, which will be reviewed in the context of the National Planning Framework.
O’Connell anticipates that water supply troubles might surface “in a few years’ time”. At this point, the holdups are primarily down to other interlinking issues, such as power supply or wastewater treatment.
In an indication that is against global patterns, Ireland’s population is swelling meaning a sizeable increase in housing and water will be required, according to Dr Matt Crowe, head of the Water Forum.
Cairn Homes, which constructed more houses and flats last year in Ireland than any other builder, indicated they had no challenges with regards to capacity with utility firms Uisce Éireann and the ESB, relating to their 1,748 units delivery, mostly in the Dublin area. Director of strategic delivery and policy at Cairn Homes, James Benson, affirmed similarly for 2,200 units anticipated to be built this year, the capacity is available.
Cairn Homes upholds a “sustainable delivery platform” to guarantee that building timelines are streamlined with planned and secured water supply. This platform also decides the requirement for delivery in the upcoming three years. The plot at Seven Mills in Clondalkin, west Dublin, is expected to observe the construction of 1,300 homes in the near future, with confirmation of capacity.
However, Benson highlights a greater issue questioning the overall capacity within the water supply system. He cautioned that current levels might be insufficient, especially faced with a jump in housing targets and completions.
Uisce Éireann has informed Cairn of imminent challenges, underscoring the urgency for infrastructural improvements and critical upgrades. Benson stressed such planning and approval could potentially be a four-year process, and urged for immediate action.
Dr Matt Crowe, the leading voice of the Water Forum, highlights Ireland’s distinct position in global trends as it sees a growing population, resulting in increased demand for housing and water. Forecasted climate conditions for the country suggest a decreased availability of water.
Dr Crowe recommends a closer focus on water conservation – an issue they’ve been advocating for and pressing the Government to adopt a nationwide policy for conservation. Crowe highlights that a planned business proposal involving a 170km Shannon pipe, pending approval from the Government, could take a decade before its completion, thereby rendering immediate water-saving measures vital in order to reduce system stress.
With Dublin maintaining only a brief supply of water, the Government’s scheme to fabricate 300,000 fresh housing units in the forthcoming decade is likely to exacerbate demand, notes Crowe. The forum has raised concerns regarding whether the Shannon solution will be operational in time to cater to the growing demand, particularly in light of climate change forecasts indicating increased periods of drought in the region.
According to Crowe, the strategic plan should incorporate an overhaul of construction regulations to ensure new housing incorporates water-saving features, much like the energy regulations currently in practice. The introduction of mandatory standards for fixtures and fittings in new establishments should also be included.
Studies indicate such measures can diminish water consumption by up to 20% per individual. However, a recent poll disclosed that whilst 74% of consumers were supportive of conservation efforts, they lacked awareness of their water consumption rates and how to conserve water.
Crowe stresses the importance of instigating changes towards long-lasting water-efficient behaviours, particularly in Dublin, to prevent future water shortfalls. The Government and water providers must be proactive in their support for water conservation initiatives in both residential and commercial sectors. Raising community awareness about possible risks to water supplies could encourage water-saving behaviours and increase the perceived value of water.
A simple repair of leaks will not suffice. Uisce Éireann warns that the current scenario of an expanding water supply deficit and inadequate supply resilience is untenable. Should the Cabinet give the go-ahead, Uisce Éireann anticipates lodging a planning application for the Water Supply Project – Eastern and Midlands Region by the start of 2025. After planning is completed, it is expected that construction will span four to five years. However, projects of such magnitude often face potential legal obstacles.
A representative has assured that the timeline of the project will not conflict with the Government’s aims for housing up to 2030. Uisce Éireann has pledged its allegiance to ‘Housing for All’, setting forth plans to aid housing on short and medium terms, funded by a €6 billion investment. Despite these efforts, it is noted that supply may remain limited and prone to volatility in the Greater Dublin Area until a new water source is introduced.
The utility recorded 4,597 connection offers related to 42,970 housing units in 2023, alongside 144 refusals concerning 489 housing units across the nation. It was found that a majority of the rejections pertained to single homes or smaller housing projects.
Reportedly, the leakage levels in Dublin, standing at 33 percent (compared to a 2030 target of 20 percent), are better than the country’s average. Despite this, mere mending of the leaks won’t suffice. The prevailing state of an escalating water supply deficit and vulnerability of supply is deemed unsustainable.
The Department of Housing anticipates to advance with the Shannon initiative to the subsequent phase, upon obtaining government approval in the near future. A spokesman for the department highlights that whilst housing and economic growth face no immediate threats, it is likely that many regional water sources will reach their maximum capacity by the end of the 2020s.
The Government acknowledges this issue and collaborates with Uisce Éireann in seeking a solution. To stay updated with the latest news, users can subscribe to push alerts and access the Irish Times on WhatsApp. The ‘In The News’ podcast with daily updates can also be found online.