The proposed upgrade for the Aran Islands water storage facilities "need to be fast tracked" and "delivered without further delay", a Connemara politician has told Irish Water.
Irish Water has made a number of planning applications to build extra storage tanks and do associated works to provide an increased capacity of 9,000 cubic metres in Inis Oírr and 3,500 cubic metres in Inis Meáin. The new water storage tanks will provide in excess of 100 days water supply on both islands. The final planning application is to be submitted by the winter with a view to the main construction works beginning in early 2018.
Sinn Féin senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh has welcomed the update, saying, "The people of the Aran Islands have suffered from water shortages for far too long". He said the island populations need "sufficient water available throughout the year" and that he will be seeking regular updates from Irish Water on the upgrade's progress, "pressing them to move more quickly if possible" and that the upgrade will be "delivered in a timely and efficient manner”.
