Water Services

Surface water drainage and flooding

When rain falls or snow and ice melts, water can accumulate on the surface of the land. If there is nowhere for this water to go, it can build up and cause flooding. Local authorities are responsible for making sure there are efficient surface water drainage systems in public places to help prevent and reduce the impact of flooding. This can include culverts, pipes, drains and various types of storage areas.

Many local authorities are also working towards introducing Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), which uses natural methods of surface water drainage through permeable paving (using materials that water can seep through instead of hard concrete), ponds and wetlands, vegetation, and rainwater harvesting. SuDS can be a more effective way to manage surface water drainage and can be more beneficial to our biodiversity, particularly in built up areas.

If you are experiencing issues with surface water drainage or flooding, contact the water services department of your local authority.

Flood prevention and relief

As Ireland experiences more severe weather events, more homes and businesses are at risk of being affected by flooding. Local authorities are responsible for maintaining and repairing flood defences including flood barriers, drains, culverts and embankments.

In order to identify which areas are at an increased risk of flooding, local authorities carry out strategic flood risk assessments, which help to inform what areas are most in need of flood prevention and relief measures.

Through flood relief schemes, local authorities undertake flood prevention work in at-risk areas. Property owners can also receive financial support to install flood barriers through Flood Barrier Grant Schemes available through the local authority.

When local authorities prepare City and County Development Plans they ensure that flood prevention measures and SuDS measures are included.

Group water schemes

Group water schemes are set up in rural areas where there is little or no access to a water supply system. The scheme allows members to access their water from the public mains if possible, or from a private source like a well or a lake. The communities who set up the scheme are the ones responsible for the management and maintenance of their water source.

Private group water scheme

Private group water schemes are privately owned and operated schemes set up by communities in rural areas who source, treat and distribute their water from a private source. This could include a lake, well or spring.

Public group water scheme

Public group water schemes distribute water to members of their group through their own local distribution network, which is connected to a public water supply. Although the source of the water is public and is treated by Uisce Éireann, the group scheme are responsible for the distribution and maintenance of their networks.

Local authorities and group water schemes
Local authorities have a supervisory authority role over group water schemes, which means they will monitor water supplies and notify the group water scheme if the standard of the water supply drops below the Drinking Water Regulation Standards. If this happens, the local authority will contact the members of the group water scheme with details of the issue, the action that needs to be taken, and a date for the issue to be resolved by.

Local authorities provide subsidies towards the operational and management cost of a group water scheme to support in maintaining and improving the quality and reliability of the water supply.

To find out more about starting a group water scheme, contact the National Federation of Group Water Schemes.

Private water supply and wells

If you are not connected to a public water supply through Uisce Éireann, and you are not a member of a group water scheme, you will need to source a private supply of water through a well.

If you do not already have a suitable well on your property, you will need to drill your own well. Any private wells that are used for water supply must be sealed against pollution and the water must be disinfected. You can have a sample of the water tested.

The owner of the well is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of their own water supply. However, if the well becomes polluted by negligence, the local authority can prosecute the owner under the Local Government (Water Pollution Act) 1977. The local authority does not test the quality of the drinking water from a well, so it is recommended the owner of the well regularly tests samples to avoid contamination.

Well grants

If you want to dig a new well, upgrade an existing well, or install a treatment system, you can apply to the local authority for a well grant. The Well Grant Scheme assists households dependent on private water supplies to ensure that their water is clean and that there is enough to meet the needs of the household.

The well grant will cover:
    • 85% of approved costs for rehabilitation works up to a maximum of €3,000
    • 85% of approved costs for the provision of a new well up to a maximum of €5,000
    • 100% of funding for water quality treatment up to a maximum of €1,000

The minimum grant threshold is €750.

To apply for a well grant or find out more, contact the rural water section of your local authority.

Septic tank inspection

While the majority of households in Ireland have their wastewater collected and treated by the public system operated by Uisce Éireann, many rural households have their own private collection systems, usually through a septic tank. The wastewater in a septic tank is treated on-site.

The owner of the property is responsible for the maintenance of the septic tank. However, the local authority may carry out inspections to ensure the septic tank does not pose any risk to health or the environment.

If you are selected for an inspection, the local authority will inform you in writing and will give at least ten days’ notice. Find out how to prepare for a septic tank inspection.

Private group sewerage schemes

Where two or more households come together to set up and manage their own wastewater system, this is a group sewerage scheme. Grants are available to those wishing to start their own group sewerage scheme covering 75% of the approved cost, up to a limit of €6,500 per domestic connection, whichever is lower.

If you are interested in starting a group sewerage scheme, contact the rural water department of your local authority.

Water quality

Local authorities are responsible for monitoring, improving, and reporting on water quality in the rivers, lakes and coasts in their local authority area. Learn more about water quality.