Group Water Schemes provide a water supply to two or more householders where no such supply, or a seriously deficient supply, already exists.
A grant of 85% of the total scheme cost is available, subject to a cost limit of €7,618.43 per house (€6,475.66 maximum grant per house). The grant is based on the cost per domestic connection, this is generally obtained by dividing the all-in cost by the number of domestic connections.
A grant of up to 100% is available of the approved cost of essential water filtration and disinfection equipment for schemes dependent on a quality deficient private source.
In order to qualify for a domestic grant, the applicant must, on completion of the scheme, have a sink and tap installed inside his/her house and it must be connected to the group water supply.
Tests are required to be carried out, before work goes ahead, to establish the reliability of the source from a health and yield viewpoint. The Council’s technical staff ensures the highest standard of construction and performance by examining the plans and design of each scheme.
The necessary 15% cash contributions by the participants must be collected and lodged in a bank account, opened by the Trustees, before the appropriate grants may be allocated. All grants are paid directly into this account.
The maintenance of completed schemes is the responsibility of the Group.
Further information is available from the Rural Water Section of Leitrim County Council located at Park Lane, Carrick-on-Shannon, Phone 071 9620005 Ext 237.
Annual Subsidy towards the operational costs of a Group Water Scheme
An annual subsidy towards the operational costs of group water schemes is payable by the Council to groups providing a supply of water for domestic purposes. The Group must be properly constituted, conduct its affairs properly, have adopted the ‘Charter of Rights and Responsibilities for Consumers on group water schemes’ compiled by the National Rural Water Monitoring Committee and where water conservation measures are being actively implemented.
In relation to annual subsidy - where expenditure incurred relates to water supplied for both domestic and non-domestic uses, expenditure is apportioned on the basis of the ratio of the number of domestic to non-domestic connections. Where expenditure relates to the supply of goods and services by contractors, such contractors must be registered for V.A.T. and hold a current Form C2 or tax clearance certificated. Where expenditure relates to the payment of wages or salary to a person, such person must be properly registered for tax purposes.
The amont of subsidy is limited to €70/house, where water is supplied from a local authority source and €140/house., where water is supplied from a private source.