A £2.5m EU-backed project to improve the long-term sustainability of water supply in Wales and Ireland has been announced by Finance and Government Business Minister, Jane Hutt.

The Dŵr Uisce project aims to improve the efficiency of water distribution by developing new low carbon energy-saving technology, including micro-hydropower turbines.

The technology will be trialled in both nations before being launched on the commercial market.

The project also aims to build the capacity for innovation in the water industry by investigating how new practices can meet the challenges faced in Wales and Ireland due to environmental and climate change.

Led by Trinity College Dublin in partnership with Bangor University, the five-year project has been backed by £2m of EU funds through the EU’s Ireland-Wales co-operation programme.

The £75m cooperation programme aims to strengthen economic links between Wales and Ireland, and support cross-border initiatives around climate change, natural resources, innovation, heritage and tourism.

The Dŵr Uisce project is the first to be funded under the new Ireland-Wales programme, which will benefit people and communities within the south-east region of Ireland and the north and west of Wales. Dŵr Uisce are the Welsh and Irish words for ‘water.’

Finance Minister, Jane Hutt, said:

“The Ireland Wales programme is a unique partnership between both our nations that provides an excellent platform to do business and address common challenges and opportunities which cut across our sea border.

“The programme is also another valuable source of EU investment, and I’m delighted that £2m of EU funds will enable Trinity College Dublin and Bangor University to take forward a project with such important potential for our water industry.”