Dubliners could eventually receive their water supply from the River Shannon, under new proposals.

Research has suggested Dublin will need to find an alternative source by 2015, as the city's population continues to grow.

One of the options being considered is taking water from the Shannon during floods, and pumping it into a midlands reservoir.

Engineer RPS Veolia has suggested piping water from Lough Ree and Lough Derg, during the winter, to a Westmeath reservoir.

This water would then be piped to Dublin.

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The idea has been generated as part of a study into finding a solution to Dublin's water conundrum.

An investigation into possible outcomes is set to conclude at the end 2009.

Many have suggested the latest recommendation could become the preferred option, as it would overcome fears the Shannon lakes would be "drained" if the water were simply piped to Dublin directly.

However, the Shannon Protection Alliance has claimed the plan would be an "ecological disaster".

Dublin City Council has maintained it would only draw off 2% of the volume of water in the river in any year.

Environmental impact would inevitably be less if pumping were to take place during the times of year when the Shannon is in flood.

Costs for the scheme are estimated between €550 million and €600 million, however, this does not include the building of a midlands reservoir.

Domestic water customers in Ireland use 160 litres per capita a day - and among the highest in Europe.

Water charges were abolished in Ireland in 1997.

(PR/JM)