The Problem

Uisce Eireann's insistence on pursuing the Shannon Pipeline disregards ecological, economic, and social concerns, focusing on wasteful practices and environmental degradation.

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What would happen to the Shannon River and Region if this was to move forward?

A Dry Shannon River

All spare capacity of the Shannon held in Lough Derg and Lough Ree would be committed to Dublin during the summer, contrary to the 2% indicated by Uisce Eireann.

A Dry Shannon River

All spare capacity of the Shannon held in Lough Derg and Lough Ree would be committed to Dublin during the summer, contrary to the 2% indicated by Uisce Eireann.

A Dry Shannon River

All spare capacity of the Shannon held in Lough Derg and Lough Ree would be committed to Dublin during the summer, contrary to the 2% indicated by Uisce Eireann.

A Dry Shannon River

All spare capacity of the Shannon held in Lough Derg and Lough Ree would be committed to Dublin during the summer, contrary to the 2% indicated by Uisce Eireann.

Declining Species

With the salmon gone, the eels nearly extinct, and the bird population decreased, Lough Derg faces several invasive species.

Declining Species

With the salmon gone, the eels nearly extinct, and the bird population decreased, Lough Derg faces several invasive species.

Declining Species

With the salmon gone, the eels nearly extinct, and the bird population decreased, Lough Derg faces several invasive species.

Declining Species

With the salmon gone, the eels nearly extinct, and the bird population decreased, Lough Derg faces several invasive species.

Compromised Protected Habitats

Protected habitats would be jeopardised and vulnerable species under Special Areas of Conservation (SACS) and Special Protection Areas (SPAS) would be endangered.

Compromised Protected Habitats

Protected habitats would be jeopardised and vulnerable species under Special Areas of Conservation (SACS) and Special Protection Areas (SPAS) would be endangered.

Compromised Protected Habitats

Protected habitats would be jeopardised and vulnerable species under Special Areas of Conservation (SACS) and Special Protection Areas (SPAS) would be endangered.

Compromised Protected Habitats

Protected habitats would be jeopardised and vulnerable species under Special Areas of Conservation (SACS) and Special Protection Areas (SPAS) would be endangered.

Underdevelopment of the Region

The development and tourism of the Shannon estuary and the surrounding region are highly dependent on the River Shannon water. The abstraction will cause an underdevelopment of this area with socio-economical consequences.

Underdevelopment of the Region

The problems with the proposal

Mismanagement of Dublin Victorian-era Pipelines

An alarming 50% of the water supplied to Dublin is wasted due to leakage of the old Victorian-era pipelines. This means Dublin's water crisis is not caused by a scarcity of resources but by mismanagement of old infrastructure.

In the early 2000s, Dublin City Council identified that the core issue with the leakage was the 900 km of old cast iron pipes. Instead of focusing on renewing the existing pipeline, Uisce Eireann insists on pushing for the Shannon Pipeline.

Financial Inefficiency

The Shannon Pipeline represents a colossal waste of taxpayers' money.

With Dublin abundant winter water reserves and a staggering 50% of treated water leaking into the ground, the pipeline's exorbitant cost far outweighs its benefits. Dublin City Council initiated a renewal program, but the current status is unclear as Uisce Eireann only provides national figures.

Renewing 3% of these cast iron pipes annually would reduce the estimated 50% of water waste. If properly implemented, this issue could be managed within the time frame it would take to construct the Shannon to Dublin pipeline by the early 2030s. Why wasting time and money with the Shannon Pipeline?

Misleading Data

When Uisce Eireann created the Water Resource Plan, they used a national figure for the Dublin-supply area, which is way beyond current usage. This means it could indicate a reduction in wastage, going forward, that didn't occur. This discrepancy needs to be addressed as it significantly impacts how water waste is calculated.

Although Uisce Eireann reports to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities and a state oversight committee, the proposal, justifications, content, alternatives, and projections are fundamentally Uisce Eireann’s own, not an independent evaluation.

No Long-Term Planning

The proposal lacks sustainable and long-term planning.

Uisce Eireann ignores the untapped potential of alternative water sources like groundwater, the Dublin Mountains, and regional rivers like the Slaney and Boyne. Additionally, the plan only counts until 2050, after which, summer storage will be required, causing another major investment.

What would the Shannon River look like if this was to move forward?

The Proposal

The Problem

The Solution

The Proposal

The Problem

The Solution

The Proposal

The Problem

The Solution