A NEW REPORT from Irish Water concludes that another 215 million litres worth of water in excess of current capacity will be needed by 2050, to meet demand.

It’s a conservative estimate, the semi-state contends.

“The report concludes that, even after fully using the available water supply from the existing sources, and even with a parallel drive on water conservation and leakage control, there will still be significant additional water required,” a statement said.

(There’s around a million litres of water in your average 50-metre swimming pool).

The beleaguered semi-state’s ‘Need Report’ for the proposed new project is being published online this morning.

“The report identifies that projected demand for water in Dublin alone is expected to increase by over 50% by 2050,” the utility maintains.

This is well beyond the capacity of the existing sources which serve the region.

It concludes that a new water supply source is needed for the Eastern and Midlands Region.

“Improvements to and maintenance of the existing water supply system” will not meet the level of predicted need set out in the report, Irish Water says.

A new source must be developed and utilised.

Irish Water took over responsibility for the project (which has planned since 2004) from Dublin City Council at the start of last year.

An eight-week public consultation process will now get under way. Details on how to give feedback are available to view at the utility’s website.

Read: Here’s why the water protesters were freed from prison…

Read: Row between Irish Water and meter installers could be settled in court, says Tánaiste