Water problems in ‘Bridge and Cratloe

A NUMBER of councillors expressed anger at problems in the water supply around Sixmilebridge and Cratloe, at this week’s Shannon Municipal District meeting.

Councillor John Crowe put forward motions asking that the Cappa/Rossmanagher Group Water Scheme and the Castlecrine Group Water Scheme both be taken over by Irish Water.

Fianna Fáil Councillor Cathal Crowe asked that the council and Irish Water devise a plan to improve water pressure to the Wood Road in Cratloe.

Regarding the Cappa/Rossmanagher scheme, Councillor John Crowe said that people on it have only got “a trickle of water for the last three or four weeks and they have no place to go to try and get this rectified.”

He claimed it is “an absolute disgrace” that issues with group water schemes can’t be sorted out.
Illustrating the problem with water pressure, he said that people have left water running into a kettle for over three hours without filling it.

Independent PJ Ryan said that on a recent Saturday evening he received 22 phone calls from people saying that they had no water. He outlined issues with neither Irish Water or Clare County Council fixing the problem and he said it is “a complete and utter mess that has not been created by the residents.”

Independent Gerry Flynn described the creation of Irish Water as one of the worst decisions of the current government and he warned that “the people of Ireland will rue the day that Irish Water came down onto them.”

Councillor Cathal Crowe’s motion asked for a plan to be devised to improve water pressure on Cratloe’s Wood Road. A reply from Executive Engineer Michael Healy stated, “Clare County Council will prepare and submit to Irish Water an asset needs brief to undertake a survey and analysis of pressures and flows on the water main from Bunratty to Cratloemoyle and possibly recommend the installation of an in line booster pump if required.”

Councillor Cathal Crowe added that he had written to outgoing Minister Phil Hogan asking that people affected be omitted from water charges. “Fair is fair; any utility that is not up to scratch people shouldn’t have to pay for.” The schoolteacher also described Irish Water as “yet another quango”.

Councillor Gerry Flynn paid tribute to workers who worked late on a Friday night and early on a Saturday to restore water to Shannon.

 

Owen Ryan