Call to fast-track €25m upgrade to water network

THE Government must fast-track a €25 million upgrade to Cork city’s water network.

City councillors made the call after it emerged that thousands of homes on the northside remain vulnerable to water disruption and restrictions because of capacity issues at the city’s ageing Lee Road water treatment plant.

City manager Tim Lucey told councillors that during the big freeze, demand for water increased 50% as the thaw set in and pipes began to burst.

Night-time restrictions were introduced in 16 of the city’s 50 district water meter areas — 14 of those affected areas were on the northside.

He said the northside was worst affected because all of its water is supplied from the Lee Road water treatment plant.

“While this plant operated at maximum production capacity for the period of the severe weather, it cannot meet a demand level which is running in excess of 50% greater than normal due to loss of water through both the public mains and private installations,” he said.

Two major upgrades to the city’s water network were recommended after the November 2009 flooding disaster.

The council has submitted plans to Government for the construction of new treatment facilities at the plant site, estimated to cost up to €20m, and for the construction of a €3.5m interconnector, to link it to the Inniscarra treatment plant which supplies the southside.

The plant upgrade would increase its production capacity from 43,000 cubic metres of water a day to 57,000 cubic metres of water daily.

City officials said the upgrade would provide greater storage capacity which could withstand increased demand in times of crisis.

And the interconnector would allow extra water to be pumped from the Inniscarra water treatment plant to the northside in an emergency.

City officials said the Department of the Environment is supportive of the project, one of five major schemes included in the city’s 2010-2012 water services scheme.

Fianna Fáil councillors Seán Martin and Terry Shannon told last week’s council meeting that funding was available.

Mr Lucey said, subject to the swift appointment of contractors and the securing of wayleaves for the interconnector, the work could be done within two years.

Sinn Féin councillor Jonathan O’Brien said the upgrade must become a priority. He said some of the €1 billion which the Government plans to spend installing domestic water metres might be better spent ensuring the people of the northside can access a secure water supply.