Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme 2024 -2026 (MARWP)
The Programme operates on a multi-annual funding approach. In January 2024 Local authorities were invited to bid for funding based on the needs of schemes for the Rural Water Multi-Annual Programme 2024-2026.
Capital funding for group schemes and community water connections
Capital funding is provided under the following seven measures:
- Measure A1 - Source protection
Funding is available to existing sustainable private group water schemes (PriGWS) to undertake appropriate source protection works to their existing water source(s), including consolidation of sources where practical to do so.
- Measure A2 - Water treatment provision, improvements and capital replacement
Funding is available under two sub-measures, to existing sustainable PriGWS for:- Water treatment plant improvements (including, as a matter of urgency, new water treatment for supplies currently without any treatment); or
- Capital replacement (existing DBO contracts).
- Measure A3 - Amalgamation and/or rationalisation
Funding is available under two sub-measures, to existing PriGWS for:- Amalgamation – for essential enabling works to amalgamate and physically connect two or more schemes; and/or
- Rationalisation – for essential enabling works to bring together the management and operation of two or more schemes where physical connection is not practical.
- Measure A4 - Water conservation, leakage reduction and prevention
Funding is available under two sub-measures, to existing sustainable PriGWS for:- Water conservation to improve the level of leakage in the Sector; or
- Infrastructure upgrades - including to abstraction and distribution systems, storage and pumping stations etc.
- Measure A5 - Extensions to existing private group water schemes and new group water schemes
Funding is available, under two sub-measures, where a public water supply network is not available or planned and individual domestic water supplies (private wells) are not a sustainable and viable option for:
- Extensions to existing PriGWS - distribution network; or
- The establishment of new PriGWS - source development, water treatment, storage and distribution network.
- Measure A6 - Taking-in-charge of group water schemes and group sewerage schemes
Funding is available, under four sub-measures, for existing PriGWS and public group water schemes (PubGWS) to upgrade their distribution network to the basic standard for taking-in-charge by Uisce Éireann for:- Quality deficiency PriGWS
- Quality compliant PriGWS and active PubGWS
- Moribund (‘orphan’) PubGWS
- Group sewerage schemes.
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Measure A7 - Community water connections and community waste water connections
Funding is available, under two sub-measures, for local authorities to develop:- Community Water Connections
- Community Waste Water Connections (complete existing funding commitments only)
The focus is on locations where the expansion by extensions off the public water and waste water services network is based on need i.e. human health and environmental, and are technically and economically viable.
- Measure A8 - Waste water collection and treatment needs for villages and settlements without access to public waste water services
The Minister approved projects under this measure on 7 December 2023.
- Measure A9 - Innovative demonstration projects
Funding is available, under two sub-measures, for new and innovative approaches and solutions for the Rural Water Sector for:- New technology and innovative solutions for PriGWS; and
- Projects in the Rural Water Sector to support and help achieve the objectives of the Water Framework Directive and the Drinking Water Directive.
MARWP Approved funding 2025: