County Sligo Water Conservation Project

In September 1996 the Department of the Environment and Local Government (DoELG) wrote to all Local Authorities, outlining their water conservation policy and proposals for implementation.

The objective of the Departments Water Conservation Sub-Programme was:

• to reduce the overall level of water losses in water supply schemes in the country
• to maximise the value of economic investment in and the cost effectiveness of existing or proposed capital works
• to lower operating costs and facilitate improved operational and demand management of water supply infrastructure
• to improve the level of supply to customers

In 1999 Ryan Hanley,consulting engineers were commissioned by Sligo County Council to prepare a preliminary report on the Lough Easkey / Lough Talt Water Supply Schemes. This report was submitted to the DoELG for approval under the Water Conservation Sub-Programme.

Sligo County Council subsequently received DoELG funding of €420,900 to embark on the Lough Easkey / Lough Talt Water Conservation Project. This project commenced in January 2001.

In July 2000, Ryan Hanley, were requested to prepare a second submission to the DoELG for approval under the same heading, this time for the North Sligo Regional Water Supply Scheme.

As a result of this report, Sligo County Council was successful in receiving additional funding to the value of €382,200 in order to commence the North Sligo Water Conservation Project.

Lough Talt Water Conservation Project

A comprehensive field test was carried out in October 2001 within the Lough Talt Water Supply Area. District Meter Areas were set-up and equipped with data loggers in order to monitor flows and establish Minimum Night Flows for each zone.

It became evident at an early stage that there were unacceptably high levels of leakage in Tubbercurry Town and throughout the Muckelty / Achonry Area’s. Active leakage control was initiated in Jan 2002. Leak detection work in these locations has yielded water loss savings of almost 1,100m3/day (243,000 gallons per day) to-date.

Lough Easkey Water Supply Scheme

A survey of the bulk meters within the Lough Easkey Scheme was carried out during April 2002. It became apparent that a number of the existing meters throughout the distribution network were obsolete. 10 No. new flow meters were installed and 5 No. district meter areas have been set-up in order to monitor flows.

It is intended that a field test will be conducted on the network early in 2003, in order to accurately calculate the Unaccounted-For-Water levels within the scheme. The average daily output from the Lough Easkey Water Treatment Plant is in the region of 3,000m3/day.

North Sligo Water Conservation Project

Work on the North Sligo Water Conservation Project commenced in December 2001. 20 No. flow meters and 45 No. new sluice valves were installed throughout the distribution network prior to conducting any on-site testing. 6 No. district meter areas were also set-up within the scheme.

The field test commenced on the 12th February. A total of 43 No. sites were monitored (22 No. flow sites, 17 No. pressure sites and 4 No. reservoir levels) for a period of 1 week.

Leak detection work commenced on March 12th, 2002. To-date substantial savings have been achieved in the Maugherow, Carney and Artrasna District Meter Areas. The average daily output from the North Sligo Water Treatment Works has been reduced by approx. 670m3/day (148,000 gallons per day).