The Government is to invest €276 million in a water-conservation programme, it was announced today.
The Minister for the Environment, Mr Martin Cullen, said significant quantities of water from treatment plants is being lost because of leakages.
"Pouring water into the ground is unsustainable and threatens supply," Mr Cullen said.
The investment is aimed at rehabilitating the State's water supply infrastructure and improving the water quality.
A recent study on the national water supply estimated that up to 47 per cent of all water produced by treatment plants is unaccounted for.It also said this level was significantly higher in some parts of the country.
Minister Cullen said: "Due to leakages, significant quantities of the water that leaves our treatment plants never arrives at the tap of the end user".
He said: "This €276 million investment will identify and reduce unaccounted for water through an upgrade of Ireland'ssupply network. Water supply will improve, water pressure levels will be enhanced and we will be well positioned to support housing and other development".
The Greater Dublin Area water supply services to a population of 1.3 million, and it has a total pipeline distance of 7,200 kilometres, some of which is over 60 years old.