Uisce Éireann welcomes acknowledgement of progress on key targets
Uisce Éireann acknowledges the findings of the latest CRU Capital Investment Plan Monitoring Report for 2022 and 2023, and the Performance Assessment Framework (PAF) Report for 2022. It also notes the publication by the CRU of the Water Customer Report and the Water Services Innovation Fund Annual Report for 2022.
These reports recognise the strong progress being made by Uisce Éireann in delivering public water and wastewater services to its 1.8 million customers across Ireland, while recognising the challenges that remain in achieving some targets.
The utility is delivering one of the largest and most ambitious capital investment portfolios in the country, with over €5 billion investment from 2020 to 2024. This investment is focused on improving water services where they are needed most, based on a clearly defined set of priorities including water quality, environmental compliance and supporting sustainable growth programmes.
The Capital Investment Plan Monitoring Report in particular contains very positive findings in relation to Uisce Éireann’s performance, with 20 of 24 targets reached or in many cases significantly exceeded. This includes key priority areas such as improving drinking water quality, replacement of lead service pipes, upgrading of water and wastewater treatment plants, and installation of new water mains. All of these activities have contributed to a safer and more secure water supply for customers, and enhancement to the natural environment.
Whilst four outcomes did not reach their target performance, many others have significantly over-performed due to a reallocation of funds during the current investment cycle as priorities evolved and the impacts of inflation were considered.
Uisce Éireann also notes the findings of the Performance Assessment Framework Report for 2022 in which 11 of the targets were achieved and 12 were not fully achieved, but in most cases were close to the target set by the CRU. Prority areas, such as quality of water supply and security of supply, where Uisce Éireann has targeted investment in recent years, have seen significant improvements year on year.
Areas identified as not meeting targets include the number of once-off incidents relating to wastewater, compliance with the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, some leakage reporting metrics and THM compliance.
In categories where delivery is behind target, such as the number of agglomerations that remain non-compliant with the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, Uisce Éireann has put prioritised plans in place to address any outstanding issues and ensure that these targets are met as quickly as possible. Uisce Éireann is also engaging with the CRU in relation to the methodologies for reporting public and private-side leakage following receipt of new Census 2022 data.
The CRU reports recognise that structural challenges remain, particularly in relation to the timelines involved in securing planning and other consents for large infrastructure projects such as wastewater treatment plants, which are often outside Uisce Éireann’s control. The utility has been engaging with Government, the regulator and other state agencies in relation to this and welcomes the progress that has been made in relation to planning reform. Uisce Éireann has also identified learnings from current project delivery which will support enhanced planning in subsequent investment cycles.
Uisce Éireann remains committed to achieving the ambitious targets set out by our regulators, including the CRU, and meeting the organisation’s own goal of delivering transformative water services that enable communities to thrive.
Justin Johnston, Uisce Éireann’s Strategy, Resilience and Regulation Director, said: “Our primary focus continues to be delivering safe, clean and environmentally compliant water and wastewater services through essential projects, and ongoing maintenance and upgrading of infrastructure. Real progress has been made, but challenges remain, particularly in securing planning and other consents for large infrastructure projects. The current investment period has seen a number of significant external challenges, including Covid, the Ukraine war and resulting inflationary pressure. Despite this we exceeded performance targets set by the CRU in many areas, and in those areas where we are behind target significant progress is being made in addressing underlying issues."
“We continue to engage with Government, our regulators and other stakeholders to ensure sufficient funding and support is in place for our ambitious investment plans. Adequate water infrastructure is a critical element in supporting growth in housing, industry and protecting our environment.”