Reform of the Irish water sector: opportunities and challenges

Abstract

Following decades of underinvestment, unacceptably high leakage rates, an infrastructure deficit and considerable fragmentation, Ireland's water sector is now at a period of major transformation in its history of water provision. A new national water utility, Irish Water, has been established in conjunction with the recent introduction of domestic water charges. This paper, following an initial overview of current organisational and funding structures, traces the reasoning behind such reform measures identifying the numerous deficiencies and pressures impacting upon Ireland's water services. There now exists the opportunity to deliver an essential service in a more effective, transparent and efficient manner, yet this transition will be a long and challenging process in which the new utility will not be fully functioning until 2019. An important tenet of strong governance and efficient practice is learning from experience. As such, reform measures for the Irish water sector are discussed, including the many pitfalls and difficulties experienced by the new public utility since its recent formation, highlighting lessons for the international water sector community. The paper concludes with identification of the pressing challenges facing the Irish water sector into the future, including the attainment of public trust and acceptance of this much needed transition.