RPS in Ireland

RPS are currently involved in the preparation of guidance and training documentation on water services strategic planning.

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has requested the Water Services National Training Group (WSNTG) to co-ordinate the development of detailed guidance to underpin the introduction of water services strategic planning under the Water Services Act 2007.

RPS was appointed to the project by the WSNTG in October 2007. RPS's brief includes the preparation of:

Legal Background Document outlining the various national and EU legislative provisions, which under pin water services strategic planning.

Guidance on the elements of other plans and programmes to which regard must be given when drafting a waster services strategic plan. The most significant of these include River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) and associated programme of measures (PoMs) under the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and National, Regional and Local Development Plans, strategies and guidelines under the Planning and Development Act 2000.

Guidance on the content of water services strategic plans having regard to the protection of human health and the environment, the provision of sufficient water services for domestic and non-domestic requirements and proper planning and sustainable development.

Presentation on the development and implementation of water services strategic plans at a National WSNTG Conference and a set of courseware for the delivery of training on the guidance documents

RPS is currently preparing the detailed guidance on content documentation and is scheduled to present the final guidance document to the WSNTG annual conference in September 2008.