Work on reservoir for rural village to begin

FOR nearly a generation, people living in a rural village have had to suffer a poor and intermittent water supply, often having to draw water from miles away or boil what comes out of their taps.

However, by the end of next year that will hopefully be a thing of the past.

Cork County Council has confirmed it is to start work on a €1 million reservoir for Conna by early next summer and hopes to have it finished by the end of 2012.

County engineer Noel O’Keeffe said the council will put the project out to tender “very shortly”.

Cllr Frank O’Flynn, who has campaigned for years for the project, said he was delighted the people of Conna would now get a 21st century supply: “There has been a major problem with the quality of the supply to the Conna area for many years. Householders have often had to draw water to their homes from quite a distance away, or boil it.”

Regarding the reservoir Cllr O’Flynn said: “This will assure supply to existing houses, some industry and a large nursing home which are in the area. It will also ensure that additional houses can be built in the area in years to come.”

Mr O’Keeffe said the concrete reservoir would have 221 cubic metres of water, providing a minimum 24- hour storage capacity .

The reservoir will be constructed on a green field site and is not located in an area of special amenity.