Plans have been submitted to increase water storage capacity on Inis Oírr and Inis Meáin in Co Galway.

The schemes involve building water reservoirs on the islands to help ensure a continuous and plentiful supply of water year round on both islands.

Three new water storage tanks will be developed on Inis Oírr, while two new tanks will be installed on Inis Meáin.

The project also includes the construction of a new watermain to transfer water between the Lacranna source to the water storage tanks on Inis Oírr. The pipeline is approximately 2km in length and will be required to increase the supply capacity from the source to the storage tanks.

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Overall, the new tanks will increase the water storage on Inis Oírr by 9,000m³ and by 3,500m³  on Inis Meáin. Site investigation works are underway on both islands to inform the design of the proposed raw water storage tanks and raw watermains. Ground Investigations Ireland Limited are currently working on behalf of Irish Water to carry out these site investigation works, with completion scheduled by the end of July.

Subject to planning approval it is expected that the main construction works will start next year.

Irish Water's Infrastructure Programme Regional Lead, Padraig Hanly, said: "In recent years both islands, especially Inis Oírr has experienced water shortages due to prolonged periods of dry weather. As a result of this, Irish Water has previously had to tanker water from the mainland to the islands in order to ensure both islands had a sufficient supply of water.

"The proposed project will include the construction of three new water storage tanks on Inis Oírr and two new water storage tanks on Inis Meáin. Planning applications have been submitted by Irish Water to Galway County Council for two of the proposed tanks on Inis Oírr and both tanks required for Inis Meáin. The site selection process and surveys required for the final site required on Inis Oírr are ongoing."

(LM/MH)