Irish Water has announced details of a €10 million investment which will see the extension of the Lough Mask Water Supply Scheme in Co. Mayo to Ballinlough and Williamstown.
This is the first time a major water supply will supply three counties and underpins the importance of a one-utility approach.
Both the Ballinlough and Williamstown water supplies are on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Remedial Action List (RAL), while the Ballinlough scheme has been on a boil water notice since January 2016. The extension of the Lough Mask water supply to these two areas will ensure a clean and secure supply of water for the 5,000 consumers on the two supplies and allow the removal of the Ballinlough consumers from the boil water notice.
Working in partnership with Mayo, Galway and Roscommon County Councils, Irish Water has appointed BSG Civil Engineering Limited to carry out the works which are due to commence in the coming weeks. The contract was signed on Friday last, February 24th, and works are expected to be completed in one year.
The works include the construction of over 22 kilometres of new watermains, a new water pumping station at the Ballyhaunis reservoir and the construction of a new reservoir and control building at the site of the existing Garranlahan water tower near Ballinlough. The existing Ballinlough and Williamstown water treatment plants will be decommissioned as a result of this robust solution to the long-standing water problems experienced in both of these areas.
Residents in Cloonfad, Loughglynn and consumers in the wider area towards Castlerea will also benefit from the scheme.
The news has been widely welcomed by local politicians.
Senator Maura Hopkins said
“This is extremely good news for people within the Ballinlough and Williamstown areas. These works are very necessary and many people within the area have been consistently raising this issue with me and the need for a long term solution to be put in place. I have been working closely with both Cllr. Peter Keaveney and Cllr. Michael Creaton on the issue. These works when complete will ensure that people have access to a high quality water supply”.
Senator Frank Feighan said
“I am delighted at today’s announcement of this major investment programme which will finally provide a long term solution to water problems experienced by communities in Ballinlough and Williamstown.”
Michael Fitzmaurice TD has also welcomed the news, adding
“This is something that I have been working on for the past couple of years and work on the contract will begin as soon as possible.