Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group

PQ response from Minister Patrick O’Donovan, March 2022

Programme of strategic maintenance to help mitigate flooding along the River Shannon and a further study on the removal of a series of constrictions or ‘pinch points’ through the Shannon Callows that can help to delay flooding in the area. The Government has agreed that the OPW will provide €7m for all of these works, of which €4m relates to the removal of ‘pinch points’ through the Shannon Callows. 

Work is advancing to progress the project for the removal of ‘pinch points’ in the Shannon Callows.  A Steering Group has been established to oversee this project and a scope of work has been drafted for the appointment of a consultant to identify and manage all of the activities that are necessary to progress through the planning process to enable the commencement of these works. This includes the identification and completion of all environmental assessments.  The OPW and Waterways Ireland met on 15 February, 2022 to progress the tender documentation and it is anticipated that the tendering process for this service will commence in the coming weeks.  Waterways Ireland, on behalf of the Shannon Group, will act as the Contracting Authority for this project. 

The works can only commence following the completion of the appropriate environmental assessments and after receipt of planning permission.  This is a time intensive process and there are a range of variables outside the control of the Shannon Group that may impact on the overall timescale for delivery of the project. 

Waterways Ireland: Shannon Maintenance Programme

In 2019 annual report the CEO notes that the work on the formulation of a strategic maintenance programme along the Shannon in partnership with OPW is well-advanced

Pre AIE: request copy of Waterways Ireland Shannon maintenance programme and all related environmental reports

Waterways Ireland has continued to take an active and supportive role in the Shannon Flood Risk State Agencies Co-ordination Group, by undertaking a series of targeted measures on behalf and in partnership with the Office of Public Works and ESB. The pilot trial to lower the water level in Lough Allen was progressed throughout 2019 for the third year, with tree cutting, silt and reed bed removal at other key locations. A longer-term strategic maintenance programme for the Shannon in partnership with the Office of Public Works is nearing completion.

Sample pumping locations: systems at Longwood, Abbeyshrule, the Downs and Thomastown

Irish Water: Draft Regional Water Resources Plan: Eastern and Midlands Publications

Draft Regional Water Resources Plan: Eastern and Midlands

Note: Two information files from the draft RWRP-EM have also been extracted from the documents for use by the EPA during the consultation process.

  1. “WTP Overview” which shows the consolidated Water Treatment Plant data for the region. A link to this has been provided on the website.
  2. “Proposed new and increased abstractions  data for the Eastern Midlands Region”, which shows the consolidated Abstraction data for the region. In accordance with Article 8 2(a)(iii) Directive (EU) 2020/2184, the recast Drinking Water Directive which states that “geo-references for all abstraction points in the catchment areas; given that those data are potentially sensitive, in particular in the context of public health and public security, the Member States shall ensure that such data are protected and communicated only to the relevant authorities and water supplies”, this information will not be published.

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)

​Appendix H Environmental Reviews

Natura Impact Statement

Irish Water: National Projects – Water Supply Project East. Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Scoping Report

  1. Introduction
  2. EIA Process
  3. Consultation
  4. EIS Structure and Content
  5. Air
  6. Noise and Vibration
  7. The Landscape
  8. Cultural Heritage
  9. Biodiversity
  10. Land and Soils
  11. Water
  12. Traffic and Transport
  13. Population and Human Health
  14. Agronomy
  15. Waste
  16. Material Assets
  17. Interactions
  18. Cumulative Impacts
  19. Alternatives
  20. Conclusion

Irish Water: National Projects – Water Supply Project East. Options Working Paper

Irish Water: National Projects – Water Supply Project East. Final Option Appraisal Report

  1. Executive Summary
  2. Introduction
  3. Remaining Viable Options
  4. Preliminary Options Appraisal Report (POAR) – Public Consultation
  5. Interim Demand Review and Phasing of Supply
  6. Source Abstraction Regime
  7. Appraisal of Source Impact
  8. Economic Appraisal
  9. Preferred Scheme
  10. Community Benefit Opportunities
  11. Preferred Scheme – Infrastructure Sites
  12. Preferred Scheme – Transmission Pipeline
  13. Concluding Statement
  14. Next Step
  15. Schedule of Drawings