A controversial pipeline from the River Shannon remains part of plans to improve drinking water supplies in the Greater Dublin Area and Midlands.
A public consultation on providing a more secure and reliable supply over the next 25 years got underway today.
Irish Water says improvements are needed to supply drinking water to the 2.5 million people living in the eastern and midlands region – with the population expected to grow by 25% by 2044.
The utility’s Angela Ryan says they looked at 1,100 options - including pumping 300 million litres of water a day from the River Shannon;
"And what we've come out with is a preferred approach which includes a new transfer from the Shannon and also includes reinforcing 136 existing water treatment plants"
A number of groups including environmental organisations and affected landowners have objected to pipeline - that’s estimated to cost €1.3 billion.
Lawyer Emma Kennedy of Kennedy Analysis says the money would be better spent fixing leaks;
"It's because it's the wrong solution for everybody. Until they fix water pipes in Dublin, Dubliners will have continue to have unlevel water supply."
The plan includes reducing leakage rates from 38% to 22% by 2033 and the development of four new Water Treatment Plants
