Small Schemes Programme

The Public Water and Sewerage Small Schemes Programme was introduced to provide funding for small public water and sewerage schemes in areas with clearly identified local needs. The design, planning and construction of such schemes are the responsibility of the local authority under the Rural Water Programme.

The DEHLG makes an annual allocation to Local Authorities under the Rural Water Measures funding mechanism, which includes the Small Water & Sewerage Schemes Programme. The allocation provides for grants of 75% of the project cost, subject to a maximum cost of €1m, on eligible schemes. Only capital works projects for the provision or upgrading of small water and sewerage schemes are eligible for funding. Maintenance costs for existing networks are not eligible for funding.

 

It is a condition of funding that the Council contributes the remaining 25% of costs towards the project. Grants are claimed on an expenditure only basis and each year's allocation is for use in that year only.

 

Examples of recent allocations are as follows :-

2008 - € 800,000 (received March 2008)

2009 - € 675,000 (received February 2009)

2010 - € 500,000 (received 19 April 2010)

 

In deciding on schemes to be prioritised the county council takes account of needs within County Kildare including those within Town Council areas. Account is to be taken of the following criteria:-

 

Schemes needed to bring public water supplies into compliance with the standards for drinking water and to protect public health;

Schemes for the protection of surface and ground water quality and the abatement of pollution;

Schemes which optimise the use of the Council's existing water supply infrastructure;  

Schemes which support local rural development initiatives in the areas of tourism, commercial, industrial and other forms of economic activity.