As an integral part of a planning approach to improving the quality and reliability of rural water supplies, an annual subsidy towards the operational costs of group water schemes in supplying water for domestic use will be payable by local authorities to groups meeting the conditions of the subsidy scheme as set out in the Explanatory Memorandum (attached below).
For subsidy purposes a group water scheme is defined as:
‘A scheme providing a private supply of water to two or more house by means of a common of shared source of supply and distribution system’.
Eligible group water schemes can obtain an operational subsidy each year. A group water scheme may obtain a water supply from either an Irish Water main or from a private source such as a lake, well, borehole, etc. The subsidy is divided into two parts that are structured to take account of the differing operational arrangements and costs arising in each case.
Subsidy A: This subsidy is payable towards the general Operational and Management costs of all group water schemes.
Subsidy B: This subsidy is payable towards Operational and Maintenance (O&M) costs associated with “bona fide” Design/Build/Operate (DBO) contracts for group schemes that have their own water treatment facilities.
Detailed terms and conditions for the operational subsidy scheme, including the rates of subsidy payable, are set out in the Explanatory Memorandum for the operational subsidy scheme in the supporting documents below.
The application form for Annual and Advance Operational Subsidies is also available below.