Thousands get safe water in €6m scheme upgrade

THOUSANDS of homes and farms in Co Limerick, which had been on boil water warnings, have a safe, secure supply following the completion of remedial works.

The Design Build Operate project, which cost €6 million, upgraded 18 group water schemes run by local communities.

Work commenced two years ago when widespread contamination was found.

The single-biggest scheme upgraded is at Lough Gur which serves a total of 555 domestic houses, 120 farms and 61 other properties.

17 other schemes that benefited from the project including: Baggottstown, Ballinvreena, Ballybricken, Ballyduff, Ballyorgan, Bulgaden, Newtown/Caherline, Cappagh, Carnane, Coshma/Killeen, Croagh/Farrendonnelly, Glenroe, Glenstal, Granagh, Griston, Kileedy and Kilfinny.

Limerick County Council chairman, Cllr Kevin Sheahan, said: “The completion of this DBO project ensures that Co Limerick remains to the fore in the national drive to eliminate substandard rural water supplies.

“As far back as 1998, the Environment Protection Agency highlighted difficulties with the quality of privately owned group water schemes across the country. Since then considerable time and resources has been targeted at remedying deficiencies in the group water schemes.”

Cllr Sheahan said dealing with substandard water supplies was possible through a spirit of partnership between the council and the communities involved.

“I would particularly like to acknowledge the contribution of group scheme activists across Co Limerick who, for many years, have worked tirelessly for the betterment of their neighbours and communities,” he said.

Council director of water services, Paul Crowe, said works carried out included the provision of treatment plants and the drilling of new source boreholes.

“Along with the main DBO works of abstraction and treatment facilities, enabling works were carried out on a number of schemes for water conservation purposes. The works involved the refurbishment of critical sections of defective water-mains on networks together with the installation of universal metering of connections to ensure that customers are vigilant in their water usage. A number of new concrete reservoirs are being built on three schemes,” he said.