Updated: 12.12pm
Irish Water is under further scrutiny this morning as hundreds of business have been forced to close their doors in Falcarragh this morning due to a burst pipe.
The Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council has already called for an emergency meeting between the local authority and Irish Water over the ongoing issues in recent weeks.
A number of businesses in the West Donegal town have been plunged into consistent water issues for well over a year due to old pipe connections.
It has been suggested that Irish Water put in an emergency supply in the Dunfanaghy side that would address short term water outages in the area.
However, on Friday, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Seamus O’Domhnaill said Irish Water current plan for the area was ‘disgraceful’.
“I am in total disbelief that Irish Water is still inactive in addressing this most serious problem,” Cllr O’Domhnaill said.
“They are out trying to fit the burst, they have given me an indication today that they will try to put funding in place as quickly as possible, but nothing definite, and it is devastating to the businesses in Falcarragh that have to close again today.
“They are losing out on thousands upon thousands of euro,” he added. “Friday is the market day in Falcarragh, it is the busiest day.
“People have bookings, hair appointments, restaurant bookings and rural Ireland are already struggling and Irish Water is adding to that.
It is time that the government address this and put proper funding in place to address these problems that are most serious.
“While we are blaming Irish Water, the government are directly involved by Irish Waters inaction.”
While Irish Water has said they are dealing with the issue in an ‘urgent’ matter, Cllr O’Domhnaill says he simply doesn’t accept that.
“If they were dealing with these issues in Falcarragh in an urgent matter then they would be coming forward with a definite plan with how and when it will be fixed in the short term and they are not doing that.
“If this was in an urban setting this would be fixed as an emergency and all the stops would be pulled out.
“They are not doing that in Falcarragh, which is totally unacceptable.
“I am doing everything I can,” Cllr O’Domhnaill said. “I am in touch with them every day and I am not happy with the support I am getting from Irish Water.
“It is totally disrespectful to the community and businesses in Falcarragh and people, who are coming home from the hospital, are getting in touch with me today who have no running water.
“Local establishments have no running water and haven’t had since last night, it is utterly disgraceful and it is time that Irish Water stepped up to the plate.”
West Donegal Cllr Michael Cholm MacGiollaeasbuig said issues persisted much further than Falcarragh.
It is understood that Derryconnor, Meenaclady, Glasche
“Until there is a new water line in the area this is going to continue,” MacGiollaeasbuig said. “There is also the situation now as well because of the dry spell we have been experiencing in west Donegal the reservoirs are quite low and there is a shortage in these reservoirs.
“It is very concerning and I have been consistent in my attempts to have an emergency meeting with Irish Water because it can’t continue.
“Every time there is a burst it is costing the taxpayers and these bursts are of no long term value to us because it is wasting taxpayers money.
“These bursts are affecting the local community, schools and businesses and the people are extremely angry and justifiably so.”
Irish Water has since issued an apology to local customers over the frequent bursts.
A spokesperson said today: “Irish Water regrets that due to a burst on the rising main from the treatment plant at Ardsbeg to the treated water storage reservoir, customers in the Falcarragh – Gortahork area are without water this morning. The burst is currently being repaired and water supply is expected to be restored early this afternoon. ”
An update from the water authority said that the existing pipework in Falcarragh and Gortahork is asbestos concrete which was a common pipe material in the 1980s, which tend to burst frequently as they reach the end of their lifecycle.
“Irish Water is continuously reviewing water network performance including burst frequency and duration and designing actions to manage the worst performing water mains for replacement,” the spokesperson said.
