‌‌The Rural Water Programme facilitates the develop­ment of water services in rural areas of the County. The responsibility for the implementation of the rural water programme was devolved to Westmeath County Council in 1997.  The Rural Water programme deals with Group Water Schemes, Group Sewerage Schemes, Subsidy Grants towards operational costs of Group Water Schemes and Individual Well Grants.

National Federation of Group Water Schemes advice to group water schemes in light of the continuing spread of COVID-19

NFGWS advice to group water schemes in light of the continuing spread of COVID-1

NFGWS GWS advice note No 2.
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Grants for New Group Water Schemes and Upgrade of existing Group Water Schemes

The grant available for new schemes or extension or upgrading of existing group schemes is 85% of the approved cost subject to a cost limit of €7,650 per house, subject also to the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government's annual allocation.

Grants for New Group Sewerage Schemes

A grant of up to 75% of cost subject to a maximum grant of €6,750 per house is available where a number of households provide a shared sewage collection/disposal system, subject also to the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government's annual allocation

Takeover of group schemes

A group water/wastewater scheme may apply to have their scheme taken in charge by Uisce Éireann via Westmeath County Council. A grant of up to 100% of the total cost of any required upgrade works may be made available on review by the Rural Water Section.

Subsidy Grant towards the operation of Group Water Schemes

An annual subsidy grant is payable towards the operating costs of providing water for domestic use to a group water supply scheme which meets the conditions of the subsidy scheme is subject to a limit of:

For 2018 expenditure:

€115.00 for each house supplied from a local authority source

€231.00 for each house supplied from a private source

Full details of the grant, procedure and application form are set out in the Terms & Conditions for Subsidy towards the Operational Costs of Group Water Schemes.

Individual Private Water Supply Grant Scheme and Domestic Waste Water Treatment Grant Schemes

Westmeath County Council implements grant schemes on behalf of the Department Housing, Planning and Local Government towards the cost of upgrading domestic private wter supplies (Private Domestic Wells) and Domestic Waste Water Treatment Grant Schemes. Application form and full details of the grant, eligibility and terms and conditions of the grand scheme are available under the Forms and Useful Documents Section

For further information in relation to any of the above schemes please contact ruralwater@westmeathcoco.ie.