Rural Water

Group Schemes supply approximately 3,640 households (8% of rural population) with a piped water supply through 11no. existing group schemes which are currently in place in the county.

County Council's now administer the scheme of capital grants for independent group water and group sewerage schemes which was previously handled by the Department of the Environment and Local Government.

The following works are covered under this scheme:

• All eligible works on new schemes or extensions of existing schemes, including planning and design costs, land acquisition, construction (civil works plus mechanical and electrical plant).
• All eligible upgrading works on existing schemes, including upgrading or renewal of headworks, reservoirs and distribution networks.

Operational Subsidy

An operational subsidy is available, subject to criteria, to help cover the general operational and management costs of group water schemes at the following rate:

• up to €115 for each house supplied from a local authority source
• up to €231 for each house supplied from a private source

The objective of the grant scheme for a private water supply to a house is to assist households dependent on these supplies where capital expenditure is incurred in order to

• remedy supplies that are not wholesome and clean,
• or where the quantity of water supplied is insufficient to meet the domestic needs of the household.

The grant is an integral part of improving the quality and reliability of private water supplies that are supplying water for domestic use by houses in rural areas. Significantly, the scheme contributes to public health across Ireland through improved drinking water quality in these supplies.

The grant structure will assist in meeting the requirements of the Drinking Water Directive in relation to rural water supplies

You are eligible for a Well Grant if:

• The improvement works will be carried out on a water supply to a house, where that water supply does not meet the quality standards in the Regulations or the quantity supplied is insufficient to meet the domestic needs of the household; and,
• The house is occupied by the applicant as his or her normal place of residence; and,
• The house is not connected to, and cannot reasonably be connected to, Irish Water or a Group Water Scheme; and,
• The house is not located in an area that is, or is about to be, served by Irish Water or a Group Water Scheme; and,
• The house has been fully constructed for more than seven years, and a grant has not been paid for the provision of, or improvement to, a water supply to the house under the scheme within the previous seven years.  This includes grant aid in relation to treatment works.

Note:  For the purposes of this grant scheme a normal place of residence includes long-term rentals but excludes private holiday homes and properties operated on a commercial basis (e.g. short-term rentals, self-catering properties, caravans/mobile homes, caravan/mobile home sites etc.).  Properties owned by local authorities, housing associations, Health Services Executive etc. are not eligible.

Important Information Please Note: Sampling, analysis and certification must be carried out by a competent, recognised, independent and INAB (Irish National Accreditation Board) or equivalent accredited laboratory. Analysis by non-accredited bodies will not be accepted. The applicant is responsible for arranging sampling by the laboratory (the laboratory must take the water sample, not the applicant, or contractor as specific equipment and methods are used including sampling bottles, which have to be sterile).  For some further guidance see at: http://www.epa.ie/water/dw/hhinfo/testtreat/

Rehabilitation works :             85% of the approved costs for rehabilitation works, subject to a maximum of €3,000;

Provision of a new well :        85% of the approved costs for the provision of a new well, subject to a maximum of €5,000 (where the housing authority agrees that this is the most appropriate solution

Treatment works :                   100% of the approved costs for works that, in the opinion of the housing authority, are necessary to treat the water to meet the water quality standards specified in the Regulations, subject to a maximum grant of €1,000.  Examples of such treatments are filtration or Ultra Violet treatment.

An initial inspection has to be carried out by Louth County Council prior to any works being done.

Well Grant Revised Scheme Important Information Regarding Water Testing

In order to be considered and be eligible for a Well Grant the following information regarding Water Testing is very important:

Sampling, analysis and certification must be carried out by a competent, recognised, independent and INAB (Irish National Accreditation Board) or equivalent accredited laboratory.Analysis by a non-accredited bodies will not be accepted.The applicant is responsible for arranging sampling by the laboratory (the laboratory must take the water sample, not the applicant, as specific equipment and methods are used including sampling bottles, which have to be sterile).

Treatment: Pre-installation - Sampling, analysis and certification of the water must be carried out onsite by an accredited Lab to provide information on the equipment likely to be required. Post-installation – Sampling, analysis and certification of the water must be repeated onsite by an accredited Lab in order to validate the water quality. 

Rehabilitation Works: Post-installation– Sampling, analysis and certification must be carried out onsite by an accredited Lab to validate the water quality.

New Well: Pre-installation – once water is found, testing must be carried out by the well driller to validate the adequacy, for domestic purposes, of the water quantity available from the well.   Sampling, analysis and certification of the (Raw Water) must be carried out onsite by an accredited Lab to provide information on the treatment equipment likely to be required. Post-installation – Sampling, analysis and certification of the treated water must be carried out onsite by an accredited Lab to validate the water quality.

 *Under no circumstances can the applicant or contractor take the sample themselves.

Complete the Well Grant form below. Please read through the Terms and Conditions before filling out the application form.

• Combined Application Form including Terms and Conditions for a Well Grant
• Privacy Notice for Private Wells
• Téarmaí agus Coinníollacha
• Foirm Iarratais