There was a burst of good news on the Castleisland water supply front today which was, it seems, kicked off by last night’s fitting of a vital valve on the Ballymacadam line and an event defining meeting today at the Kerry County Council Chambers.
This morning’s face-to-face meeting between local political representatives and officials of Uisce Éireann in Tralee certainly brought the good news over the line.
What has been announced and heartily welcomed today by Cllr. Charlie Farrelly, Cllr. Fionnán Fitzgerald and Deputy Danny Healy Rae is that over three and a third kilometers of a new supply piping will be laid to replace the old asbestos line and that work could start early next month.
Bursts at Almost Predictable Intervals
The system has been under pressure and has broken down at almost predictable intervals in recent years and today’s news is something to be welcomed by all concerned.
Cllr. Farrelly said that following a meeting with Uisce Éireann officials in the council chambers this morning, he’s absolutely delighted that the new, 3km 380mts water main from Ballymacadam reservoir to Castleisland town and serving its hinterlands has got the go ahead and has been announced today at this meeting.
Uncertainty Over Water Supply
Cllr. Fionnán Fitzgerald, Fianna Fáil, in welcoming the announcement, said that the bursts in the water supply pipe in the Castleisland area has been a recurring problem over his time as an elected member of Kerry County Council.
“Today’s news will bring great stability to both local businesses and residents of the area who have been putting up with the uncertainty of water supply which has been hanging over them for far too long.”
Meanwhile, Deputy Danny Healy Rae said that he welcomes the announcement from Uisce Éireann that €2.5 to €3 million is to be provided to relay 3,080 meters of a water main pipe from Ballymacadam reservoir into Castleisland town.
“This funding is very wanted in order to provide a consistent water supply and to eliminate the constant breaks that have been occurring over last number of year.
“I have been making representations for funding for this over the last number of years on this issue,” said Deputy Healy Rae.
Old Eight Inch Asbestos Pipe
At an estimated cost of over €2m this is huge news for all the businesses large and small, schools, childcare facilities, nursing home and all residents in the greater Castleisland area.
“This new mains supply line will replace the old eight inch asbestos pipe that has burst on so many occasions over the past five and a half years since I first got elected and started working on behalf of the people who elected me – along with support from other elected colleagues on this project,” said Cllr. Farrelly.
Work May Begin on November 11th
“It is anticipated that the laying of this new supply line will commence later this year maybe as early as November 11th but this depends on the issuing of a road opening licence.
“I would like to sincerely thank John Dempsey and his team including Charlie O’Leary our local Uisce Éireann engineer with whom we met this morning.
“This brilliant announcement came as a direct result of this meeting this morning and I am sure that you will agree with me that this is a huge boost for Castleisland and its hinterlands and I am so proud to be associated with it,” said a gushing Cllr. Farrelly and, in a ‘more to do’ frame of mind, he concluded with: “This news represents the pinnacle of my political career – so far.”
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