Water shortages hit Tulla – again

Issues with water shortages in Tulla has reared its ugly head once more as businesses once again try to cope with a depleted water source and water stoppages.
The problem is a regular occurrence for the people of Tulla during the summer months and also affected businesses and the community during the big freeze last winter.
This week Clare County Council has issued an order prohibiting the use of the council’s water supply for watering sports grounds, gardens, irrigating or spraying crops, washing cars and for use in commercial car washing until at least Saturday.
The order, which relates to the conservation of water and comes under Section 56 of the Water Services Act 2007, enables the council to put restrictions in place prohibiting certain water usage. Those found engaging in these prohibited activities can be issued on the spot fines of €125 or could be prosecuted and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €5,000.
This ongoing water problem is familiar to Denis Corry, a member of the Tulla Water Action Committee, who recalls talks on the issue held with the former county manager Alec Flemming and local representatives as far back as 2007.
“Indications at that time was that the problem would be resolved in May 2007 when we met with the councillors and the county manager. I was representing community and business people, who were extremely annoyed at the time that the issue was still going on. We had a water crisis in the winter with the freezing weather and we had a crisis in the summer when the sun shone. Nothing has changed since,” Mr Corry said.
He explained that much of the problem relates to pipes servicing the town’s water supply.
“It’s not rocket science, we have a supply from Broadford and Castlelake and if we assume that there is adequate supply at source then the issue is the transfer of water from the source to the consumer. Essentially, water is coming from two roads meeting at the Mills and we need a bigger pipe going from the Mills on to Tulla.
“In 2007 there was a commitment given by the then county manager that the pipes would be looked at and they would consider putting down an additional pipe from The Mills to Tulla to serve the people. To be fair, the council put in additional pumping facilities and credit is due there but additional pumping facilities without the associated improvements in piping are like a horse without a jockey. The impression I got at the time was that a lot of the pipework was undersized and as a general issue needed to be looked at. The feeling then was that if the council were going to allow additional housing development in Tulla, then complementing services should have been there for that. We were at pains to point out that we were very positively disposed to new development in Tulla but the responsibility lay with Clare County Council to build in the services in line with that development. That type of improvement hasn’t happened yet. There is no point having booster pumps without looking at improving the pipes,” he stated.
Last January local publican Pat Lynch, owner of Teach Ól, also raised the matter and called for a second water source to be tapped as a backup supply.
“No progress has been made since then. We were told to hold tough because the council was going to look into it. We were hoping that another borehole would be sunk but were told it wasn’t an option because the water wasn’t up to scratch. Having the water off at different times is absolutely not helping business. I didn’t have to close but it doesn’t help business and makes things awkward. We have been drawing water at home, the same as earlier on this year. This issue is going on for years. The businesses in Tulla are up the walls. It is a serious problem. Something has to be done and we will have to take a gamble somewhere,” he said.
Although prohibitions apply to the watering of sports grounds, both the soccer and GAA grounds in Tulla are unaffected as they have their own water supply, something that many businesses in the village have availed of or looked into due to these ongoing water issues. 
Declan Hogan, chairman of the Tulla GAA Club, said that water stoppages have had other impacts on the club, particularly when they are hosting away games.
“It has affected us in a different way, we have training every evening in the field and after 7pm over the last week there has been no water so after training there are no showers available. Even just in terms of the provision of drinking water, we’d fill our water bottles at training and now we have to bring in water.
“Also, when there are away games, teams playing won’t be able to have showers afterwards. The least a player expects when they come to play a match away is that they will be able to get a shower afterwards; that reflects on the club. We understand where the council is coming from, obviously we would love if it didn’t happen but the restrictions are for the greater good. All we can say is we are blessed to have our own well otherwise we would be in serious trouble as we would be a small step below playing on concrete,” Mr Hogan explained.
Senior executive engineer Sean Lenihan explained that the council was “monitoring the situation”.
“Demand on the supply has increased in recent times and we will have to take measures throughout the summer and will communicate with the public affected. We are continually striving to increase the supply and meet demand. Unfortunately, Tulla is the victim of being at the end of pipe, we are continually introducing measures to increase water supplies and we appeal for the publics assistance in assuring that water is conserved and used correctly.
“The bottom line in Tulla is that some properties are able to fill paddling pools and water gardens but the other side of that is that some people can’t fill a kettle for a cup of tea so we would ask people to observe these restrictions,” he said.
Local Councillor Joe Cooney echoed the concerns of the community and called for a back-up system and said it was disappointing that nothing has happened since the issue was raised last January.
“There is another source there. We were told that the water is not treated and that would be a concern but maybe treating it will have to be considered, unfortunately funding is not available for it,” he said.