Mayor Curtin opens two water schemes

Mayor of Clare Councillor Christy Curtin this week formally opened two water services schemes in the North and East of the county.
The schemes in Corofin and Tulla consist of new wastewater treatment plants in addition to new and upgraded water supply and storm water infrastructure.
“The improvements are most welcome and will provide a platform for future development in these historic towns. In particular the improvements will benefit and enhance the local environment providing protection and capacity for future generations,” Mayor Curtin said.
Mayor Curtin went on to say that the projects were testament to what could be achieved with well-supervised, minimum resources.
County Manager Tom Coughlan also attended Friday’s openings.
“I am delighted that Clare County Council has been able to deliver such important infrastructural investment to the county during the past number of years in particular. The financial commitment of the authority towards these two schemes is also evident given that over half the combined cost of €7 million has been paid from the council’s own resources, demonstrating provision of a return on capital contributions collected in recent years,” he stated.
At the opening in Corofin Mr Coughlan commented that we are now in an era where there is less development. “I am convinced we will get out the other side and it is great to have this type of facility here for when that does happen,” he said.
Mr Coughlan also highlighted the council’s commitment to maintaining the Corofin plant in the coming years but pointed out that “a lot of people don’t realise the infrastructure that exists under the ground. They see the over-ground infrastructure, the roads, the buildings and so on but they don’t realise the infrastructure underground”.
The schemes, delivered by the council’s Water Services Capital Project Team, and part-funded under the Water Services Investment Programme are among an extensive number of schemes delivered through the water services capital section of Clare County Council particularly during the past four to five years.
Speaking about the work on over 10 projects, and 20 contracts completed in this period. Director of services David Timlin said he was particularly appreciative of the commitment by the staff of the water services section.
“In the period from 2006 to 2010 the Water Services Capital Projects team will have project managed contracts to the value of €45 million, peaking at over €20 million in 2008, thanks to the committed diligence of the engineering and administrative staff.”
“Although the rate of spend is reducing relative to recent years, the council will still spend €7 million in 2011, including upgrades to Ennis and Shannon main drainage schemes as well as rehabilitation contracts on the Ennis water network,” concluded Mr Timlin.
Clare TD and Minister for Defence Tony Killeen said he was particularly happy to see the opening of the sewerage scheme in his home village of Corofin.
“For many years, the lack of adequate infrastructure in North Clare had led to pressure being placed on rural areas in relation to development with more and more people applying to the county council for permission to build and to provide their own septic tank and water supply. The completion of this scheme relieves much of this pressure and provides for the rural regeneration and sustained economic development of Corofin and surrounding areas.”
“With ever increasing numbers of tourists visiting this part of the county, it is imperative that the necessary infrastructure is in place. After all, a sustainable tourism industry is of importance to the future economic well-being of the entire county,” added Minister Killeen.