Minister Kevin 'Boxer' Moran has said the funding allocation of €198,250 for group water schemes across Westmeath will ensure “safer, higher quality drinking water” and reduced leakage.

Over €198,000 in funding for Westmeath group water schemes

Published: Tue 22 Jul 2025, 2:30 PM

Last updated: Tue 22 Jul 2025, 2:33 PM

A total of nine group water schemes in Westmeath will benefit from an allocation of over €198 million which is designed to improve the quality, quantity and reliability of the water services across the county.

Moydrum Group Water Scheme (GWS) was awarded the largest allocation of €25,000 for the taking in charge of its group water and sewerage schemes, while the group schemes in Shancurragh Coosan GWS and Ballyglass Hillquarter wer both allocated €25,000.

Roscommon was allocated over €2.9 million for improvement works to a total of 19 group water schemes, with the South Roscommon areas of Onagh (Taughmaconnell); Moore South and Castlesampson receiving €145,000 for the taking in charge of their group water and sewerage schemes.

The local allocations are part of a €74 million capital investment funding programme for rural water services nationwide which was announced by Minister for Housing, James Browne, today (Tuesday) under the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme 2024-2026.

Westmeath Government Ministers, Peter Burke and Kevin 'Boxer' Moran were among those to welcome the allocations for group water schemes across the county, with Minister Moran saying the funding will deliver “vital structural upgrades” to the rural water supply and ensure “safer, higher quality drinking water” and reduced leakage.

“This investment will not only make a real difference to existing households but also help meet future housing needs” said Minister Moran.

Minister Peter Burke,hailed the funding as being “great news for communities in Westmeath” and spoke of the importance of protecting our water sources and ensuring the highest standards in water treatment.

“The Rural Water Programme delivers improvements to private domestic water and waste water services in areas of rural Ireland where there are no public water services” said Minister Burke, who added that the funding allocated as part of today's announcement will “continue to improve the quality, quantity and reliability of the water services across Westmeath.”

The local Fine Gael Minister said his party is working hard to improve infrastructure “to ensure more homes can be built.” and the funding allocated to improve water and waste water facilities will go “a long way to supporting communities.”