Relief is on the way for residents and business owners on the Foxford Road in Ballina who have been experiencing water outages recently, Mayo Fine Gael TD Michelle Mulherin has announced.
The Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government has allocated €5 million under the Water Conservation Watermains Rehabilitation Scheme to replace 35kms of old pipe work in Ballina and Knockmore, according to the Ballina TD. The funding will also include some work on pipes at Breaffy, Castlebar.
“The tender process is well underway and it is absolutely imperative that Mayo County Council ensures a contractor is selected as soon as possible so the works from this substantial investment in our water infrastructure can be done as a matter of urgency for residents and businesses and to save water.
“Water outages on the Foxford Road beyond Childers Heights and out to Rehins and Knockmore have been occurring with increasing regularity over the past while, with the most recent outage last Friday,” explained Dep Mulherin.
She said this was because the pipes are old and worn in the system meaning that water supply is being cut without notice as various leeks occur in the pipe work.
“This has been discommoding many people living in estates and in houses along the Foxford Road area. Also this is resulting in the considerable expense in the wasting of treated water,” she explained. The Ballina TD was contacted by residents and business owners along the road and also by local councillors John O'Hara and Seamus Weir who have been responding to representations.
“The good news is that relief and the replacement of the pipe work is imminent,” announced Dep Mulherin who complimented council engineer, Eddie Munnelly and council outdoor staff for their rapid response on a regular basis to fix the many leaks which have been arising.
“However, clearly they are fighting a losing battle and the only proper solution is to replace the pipe work which is long overdue.
“I also want to compliment Noel Burke and Conrad Harley of water services in Mayo County Council who have been dealing with the department on the issue towards a resolution.
“I further want to acknowledge the patience of residents and business people who have been enduring this problem,” Dep Mulherin concluded.
