Despite widespread concerns from local people the new water eco-park mooted for the Midlands will not affect water levels of the Shannon. Speaking to the Advertiser Gerry Geoghan of RPS, a consultant firm to Dublin City Council, said that the water supply is not only for the people of Dublin, but also for those in the Shannon area.
“This water is for everyone in the Shannon area, including Athlone and Mullingar,” he said. Mr Geoghan believes that this project could possibly attract heavy water use industry such as Diageo and Intel to the Midlands as the new reservoir in Garryhinch Bog means such industries can locate anywhere along the Shannon. “We are creating a strategic supply of water which has the potential to attract jobs,” he said. “The water will be there and Bord na Mona are also developing wind farms which will give industries both water and clean energy. This is a great opportunity for the Midlands,” added Mr Geoghan.
This week a new waterbased eco-park was planned for a cut away bog in Garryhinch Bog, Co Offaly. The project would create some 1,000 construction jobs for three years and cost an estimated €540 million. Consultants for Dublin City Council, RPS and Veolia Water, have recommended that a total of nine counties, including the four Dublin local authority areas could benefit from the eco-park, with the reservoir water being taken from the Shannon at Lough Derg during periods of flood and high flows only, when there is more than enough water in the lake for all users.
