Factory told to cut waste as water short
The claim — which was not disputed by council management — was made by Cllr John O’Shea, who said officials had told Rowa Pharmaceutical to cut down water usage.
“I checked this. It is very disturbing, as the factory employs 100 people. It beggars belief. If this company wasn’t so committed to the region they’d probably move to a country with lower wages,” said Mr O’Shea.
He said there was no question that the company was not prepared to pay for the supply.
“They admit on one occasion they had a water leak, which they fixed. They also sunk their own well, but the water wasn’t of the high quality needed for their manufacturing process,” the FG councillor said.
Mr O’Shea told fellow councillors that the town was being strangled by the lack of a proper supply, and as the development of a €14.5 million reservoir was before the High Court, the council should have alternative plans in place to address the situation.
He even suggested, that if necessary, pipes be laid to transport water from the Inniscarra reservoir.
The councillor mentioned a number of other problems, including the fact that a local hotel was having to get tankers to bring water from 20 miles away.
He was supported by Cllr Dermot Sheehan, who said the situation was so serious it was hampering business, industry and stopping the development of much-needed housing.
County manager Martin Riordan agreed that Bantry had suffered for a number of years from water shortages.
He said the council had appealed objections to a new reservoir to the High Court.
He added that he had asked county engineer Noel O’Keeffe to look at other options in case the High Court appeal failed.
Mr O’Shea asked the manager if he would agree with the appointment of an arbitrator in an effort to overcome objections.
Mr Riordan said he would have to take legal advice because the case was before the court. However, the manager said it was always open to objectors to approach the local authority.
Mayor of County Cork, Cllr Tom Sheahan, told Mr O’Shea that the county manager and the countyengineer should be given more time.
Mr O’Shea said he would, but wanted assurances that councillors would be kept fully informed about what plans were being organised in case the High Court action was lost.
