Ballyvaughan water off the boil

CLARE County Council and the Health Service Executive this week lifted the boil notice for the Ballyvaughan water supply area, which has been in place since February 4. This means consumers no longer need to boil tap water for consumption or any other use.

The removal of this notice applies to all water consumers on the Ballyvaughan Public Water Supply, including the group water schemes of Muckinish, Gleninagh, Gregans, Knocknagrough and Newtown.
The change in status is as a result of the new €5 million Lisdoonvarna Water Supply Scheme extension to Ballyvaughan, providing a connection for the supply area to the North Clare Regional Water Supply scheme.
“Clare County Council continues to work towards the provision of sustainable services, which meet the highest standards expected and required by our customers,” said a spokesman. “We are obliged to comply with the Drinking Water Regulations of 2007 as well as the requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive.”
A major element in the council’s overall water strategy is the Water Conservation Strategy, which sets out the need to conserve water in order to minimise costs of wastage, as well as reducing the demand on sources. This strategy is being implemented through the council’s Water Conservation Programme, which is continuing its work of identifying and rectifying major leakages in the water distribution system.
Welcoming the news, Deputy Breen expressed the hope that the problems the people of Ballyvaughan have had to endure with poor water quality and intermittent water supply service have finally come to an end.
“The people of Ballyvaughan have been very patient and have to endure a lot of problems with poor water quality now for quite some time. The village is one of North Clare’s prime tourist locations. It was voted one of the 10 Best Road Trips by Condé Nast Traveller and boasts a wide variety of restaurants, coffee shops, B&Bs and hotels. Each year visitors throng to the area nestled in the heart of the Burren and it is important the area has a regular supply of good quality water, ” he said.
Senator Martin Conway said the lifting of the notice is a big boost to tourism as Ballyvaughan relies a great deal on promoting the Burren as an area of great scenic and natural beauty.
He said some people felt it a bit farcial that a water scheme on the foothills of the Burren couldn’t produce clean drinking water for a number of years and paid tribute to the patience shown by residents.