The water supply between Gortahork and Falcarragh has been scheduled for imminent, fast-tracked maintenance works from Irish Water, it was confirmed on Thursday.
Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Seamus O’Domhnaill confirmed to Donegal Daily on Thursday that funding had been sanctioned for the upgrades and design to commence in the several weeks – with all maintenance to the water supply expected to be complete by October 2019.
Irish Water is also expected to carry out temporary mitigation works to reduce the severity of the issues seen the last year.
A meeting between Donegal County Council and the national utility is set to take place on May 8th, when a comprehensive briefing will take place on the planned works.
The breakthrough comes after several calls for an emergency meeting between the local authority and Irish Water over the ongoing issues in recent weeks were made.
Speaking to Donegal Daily, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Seamus O’Domhnaill said he was delighted that Irish Water had finally decided to act.
“I found out on Wednesday that Irish Water was having a meeting regarding the issue and this morning I got a phone call to say that the money had been sanctioned to repair it and the design team will be out in the next couple of weeks to start work.”
“I am delighted that Irish Water are also going to carry out mitigation work that in the interim before they replace the pipes, in and around Falcarragh, that will reduce the burst frequency and when there is a burst that centres and townlands around the area will still receive water.
“So, I am glad that Irish Water listened to me and acted on what I wanted over this last number of weeks and are taking it very seriously for the people in the Cloughaneely area.”
“I must now ensure that this progresses as quickly as it possibly can and the people need to understand that this is still two or three months away before the pipe is replaced.
“But I will do everything in my power that the work happens as quickly as possible.”
Cllr O’Domhnaill also confirmed that campaigning work will now get underway with Irish Water to replace other pipes in Derryconnor and Meenacladdy as soon as possible.
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