In 2016, the then Department of Environment, Community and Local Government announced a new cyclic investment programme for water services in rural areas, the Multi Annual Rural Water Programme (MARWP).
The current Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage MARWP cycle runs from 2024 to 2026.
The programme involves a number of grant assistance measures to provide capital investment support to the rural water sector and to private group water schemes in the country. Each local authority is tasked with administering this funding within their respective county.
In January 2024 a total of €125 million was committed by former Government Minister Daragh O’ Brien for capital investment in rural water infrastructure across the country under the different funding measures.
Kildare County Council Rural Water Department is required to assess and prioritise project proposals before their submission to the Department for funding consideration. At the end of April 2024 Kildare County Council submitted its bid for funding under the current cycle to the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage.
The 9 Funding Measures:
Measure A1: Source Protection (Group Water Scheme Sector).
Measure A2: Water quality compliance (Group Water Scheme Sector).
Measure A3: Amalgamation or Rationalization (Group Water Scheme Sector).
Measure A4: Water conservation, leakage reduction and prevention. (Group Water Scheme Sector).
Measure A5: Extensions to existing private group water schemes and new Group Water Schemes.
Measure A6: Taking-in-charge of Group Water Schemes, transition to the Public (Uisce Eireann) network.
Measure A7: Community Connections (Water).
Measure A8: Wastewater collection and treatment needs for small villages and settlements without access to public wastewater services.
Measure A9: Innovative demonstration projects.
For Advice and further information please contact the Rural Water Office
on T: 045-980361 or E: ruralwater@kildarecoco.ie