The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Irish Water Programme at Bord Gáis Éireann have announced that every home in the country is to receive an information leaflet on the transformation of water services in Ireland – A guide to the establishment of Irish Water – marking the first phase of a public information campaign.

The bilingual leaflet which will be delivered to every household during the month of February aims to build awareness among the people of Ireland about the need for water reform. It outlines the reasons for creating the new public authority Irish Water and the benefits it will deliver to public water users in Ireland.

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Commenting on the launch of the leaflet, Minister of State, Mr Fergus O'Dowd T.D. said: "Water reform is a major undertaking and it is important that all citizens are informed on what is happening and how reform will affect them. Water is a valuable resource, and while Ireland has an abundance of water resources, the cost of providing treated drinking water and the collection and treatment of our wastewater is expensive. Additional investment is required in the decade ahead to modernise our distribution networks and continue the process of expanding and upgrading other infrastructure to meet environmental and public health standards, as well as the needs of sectors of the economy that can support employment growth.

"The reform of the sector, including the establishment of Irish Water, provides the means to achieve these goals through a sustainable funding system, facilitating increased investment into the system resulting in better services for us all. I urge everybody to take the time to read this information leaflet and keep it for reference as the establishment of Irish Water is progressed."

(CD/GK)