Mayo Fine Gael TD Michelle Mulherin has welcomed the announcement by Phil Hogan, Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, that Ballina regional water supply scheme is to be extended to Bonniconlon, bringing a high quality and secure water supply to the village and the surrounding group schemes.
Deputy Mulherin said that the “substantial job” will improve the current “substandard” water supply. The extension of the Ballina water supply to Bonniconlon will benefit 500 people and will be delivered as part of a major €800,000 upgrade to the scheme that will also contribute to the security of the Ballina town supply.
“ I am delighted with this significant investment in water infrastructure for the people of Bonniconlon which has just been signed off on by the Minister. The problem of poor water quality at times experienced by people in the Bonniconlon area is an issue I have raised on numerous occasions with Mayo County Council and the Minister. It has also been raised many times with me by local councillor John O'Hara. I want to compliment the water services section of Mayo County Council for their efficacious dealings with the Department to help bring this project across the line.”
Deputy Mulherin said that the scheme involves the upgrade of the existing water main on the Quay Road, Ballina, which will facilitate the supply to Bonniconlon. In addition, the works involve the laying of some 2km of water main, the upgrade of the pumping station on Behy Road, and the de-commissioning of the existing pumping station on the Bonniconlon Road.
The €800k for Bonniconlon is in addition to €602,000 funding secured for Carha and Bofield group water schemes, near Ballina, to complete the significant upgrade works which have been carried out to both schemes. The upgrades include the provision of new pipe work and the construction of pumping stations. This will service 200 houses approximately in the Bofield scheme and 60 houses in Carha GWS.
