Investment required for wastewater centres

"Focused investment" in water provision and the treatment of waste water is important for current and future enterprises in key growth centres, according to Forfas.

Martin Cronin, chief executive of the national policy advisory body for science and enterprise, made his comments at the launch of the organisation's report examining Ireland's performance in meeting the associated needs of enterprise.

Continuing, he said analysis by the firm has found a number of key urban centres could experience water and waste water treatment capacity deficits by 2013.

"We need to prioritise investments focusing on the services available in the National Spatial Strategy gateways and hubs," Mr Cronin added.

Concluding, he said the amount of capital investment required could be reduced by lowering the levels of water leakage occurring and encouraging enhanced water conservation in both the commercial and private sectors.

Earlier this year, Forfas stated that Ireland continues to perform poorly with regard to meeting the waste management need of enterprise as it published its Waste Management Benchmarking Analysis and policy Priorities report.