Funding announced for the rural water sector, improving drinking water quality

The Government have announced €175 million in funding for the Rural Water Sector 2027-2029, improving drinking water quality and overall resilience and reliability.

The new programme will add to Government investment in the rural water sector and serve as a long-term commitment to improving water services.

There are multiple funding measures available, and they all aim to improve water services for communities that are not currently connected to Uisce Éireann networks.

These will ease the pressure on communities that usually rely on Group Water Schemes, making sure they have access to reliable, resilient and safe water services. Ensuring that each community have access to high-quality drinking water is a recognised priority for the scheme.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne said: “The Multi-annual Rural Water Programme is a vital investment in ensuring safe, secure and resilient water services for rural communities and will help Group Water Schemes continue to provide supplies while investing in the renewal and modernisation of their infrastructure for future generations.

“The government is working hard to fund improvements to water services across the country, especially services to rural areas. The €175 million announced today is very much part of that commitment, and it will support rural communities to thrive as places to live and work.”

Minister O’Sullivan added: “While Ireland has naturally abundant water resources, some rural communities face challenges around the quality or quantity of drinking water available to them. These issues can be down to a range of factors, from contamination to low yield, to problems with the water infrastructure. Today’s launch of the Capital Funding Programme for the Rural Water Sector will help us to address these issues in a strategic way that supports public health, community wellbeing and wider rural development.”