Each water supply option is being examined from technical, economic, socio-economic and environmental perspectives at a strategic level.

 

 

The Selection Process

The extended range of water supply options outlined, which were identified during Phase 1 of the Strategic Environmental Assessment in 2006, were then investigated as part of Phase 2 of the Strategic Environmental Assessment process.

Each water supply option was examined from an environmental, technical, economic, and socio-economic perspective at a strategic level. The options were then be tabled for public consultation as part of the SEA Phase 2 process. The SEA Phase 2 public consultation period commenced in November 2008 and will ran for 3 months until the 27th February 2009.  Click here for information on consultation to date.

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Following consideration of feedback from the public consultation process, the water supply options were ranked in accordance with long-term sustainability criteria (Environmental, Economic and Social). A shortlist was prepared and further more detailed work was carried out on the shortlisted options (Preliminary Report).

 

 

 

Selection Process graph

The current studies, in relation to the long-term water supply needs of the Dublin Region (Water Supply Area), have been underway since 2004. Over the intervening period, two phases of public consultation have taken place (2006 & 2008/09) under the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) process, regarding potential new source options for meeting long-term supply needs. The (2008) draft Plan and Environmental Reports, involving 10 potential new water supply options, were tabled for public consultation under the SEA (Phase 2) process from November 2008 to Feb / March 2009. Consultations with stakeholders during this period were extensive and feedback from the process has now been incorporated, as appropriate, into the current recommendations. A Non Technical Summary of the recommendations (and a Power Point Presentation) is now being made available to stakeholders and the general public, via this dedicated project website, in order to provide an interim update on the current status of the project (July 2010).

 

For further information on the recommended water supply option please click here.

Under the SEA process the preferred option is required to be adopted by DCC and Dublin Region Local Authorities. Following adoption, the SEA legislation requires an SEA Statement to be published which will summarise:

What will happen when the preferred Option is selected?

The selection of a preferred option and receipt of technical approval from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is anticipated for the latter half of 2009.The statutory planning process can then begin. The planning application process will involve the preparation of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).  This is a more detailed study than the SEA process. It will examine the effects on the environment of the proposed development prior to the beginning of any on-the-ground activity. The EIA puts high emphasis on mitigating and minimizing impacts of the proposed development and will take into consideration the impact of the development on:

The results of the EIA will be assembled into the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) document. The EIS looks at all the positive and negative effects of a particular project on the environment and develops mitigation measures where appropriate. The EIA process also involves formal public consultation.