S5E7: Meeting Ireland’s Growing Water Demand

Charlie Coakley, sustainable business manager of Uisce Éireann, drops in to discuss the sustainability framework of Uisce Éireann, Ireland's state-owned water utility company. We explore the company's role in providing clean drinking water and appropriate treatment of waste water, the challenges posed by climate change, and the importance of energy efficiency in water treatment. Charlie outlines the ambitious goals of the 2025 Sustainability Framework, including achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2040, Biodiversity net gain on all projects, and implementing nature-based solutions for wastewater treatment. The discussion also highlights the significance of social inclusion and public engagement in achieving these goals, as well as the future of water supply projects in the Eastern and Midlands Region, which would involve the extraction of water from the Parteen basin of the river Shannon. Thanks very much to Sorcha O'Carolan Murphy for support with research, design and promotion. Links Uisce Éireann's website: www.water.ie Uisce Éireann's Sustainability Framework: https://www.water.ie/about/sustainability/sustainability-framework Ireland ranks 10th highest in the EU for domestic water use: https://smartwatermagazine-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/smartwatermagazine.com/news/locken/water-ranking-europe-2020?amp Integrated Constructed Wetlands project at Dunhill, Waterford: https://www.water.ie/help/wastewater/wetlands/dunhill-wetlands Sludge Drying Reedbeds: https://www.water.ie/projects/local-projects/carlow-sludge-reed-beds