Towns bid farewell to drawing from well

The days of drawing water from a well will be coming to an end for communities in east Cork and west Waterford.

Funding has been approved for the first phase of the Conna regional water supply, where the service has long been deemed “inadequate”.

The planned scheme will eventually supply water to a number of villages in the area and across the Waterford border into the town of Tallow.

Low water pressure in Conna and, in some instances, no water at all, resulted in major inconvenience to householders, some of whom regularly have to travel to the neighbouring village of Aghern to draw water in churns.

Minister of State Seán Sherlock said he was delighted with the announcement.

“This investment is long overdue and is something I have been fighting to deliver for some time. Residents in the area have endured sporadic supply for many years and have often had to draw water to their homes from a local well,” the Labour TD said.

“I am delighted that people in the area can now look forward to a quality drinking supply, while neighbouring villages and Tallow in Co Waterford will also benefit thanks to provision in the plan to extend the supply main.”

Phil Hogan, the environment minister, said the initial €1m investment will provide for the upgrading of the water treatment plant, and there will ultimately be an extension of supply eastwards into Co Waterford.

“The water supply to Conna village has traditionally been provided by local boreholes pumping into a small reservoir with limited storage, which resulted in disruption in supply,” Mr Hogan said.