This article is from page 13 of the 2006-07-25 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 13 JPG
IT will take Clare County Council at least 230 years to replace all the water pipelines in the county if it is to continue at its current rate of pipe replacement.
The council currently services 22 water production facilities in County Clare, which provides in excess of 50,000 metres cubed of water every day.
Clare County Councillor Christy Curtin said that private group water schemes have been “more vigorous” in their upgrading of their water services.
The Independent councillor pointed to three group water schemes in west Clare that have replaced more than 30km of piping in the last two years.
“The council will have to follow suit and make sure their network is up to par,” he said.
Cllr Curtin is also calling on the local authority to research any additional water sources that may be available. In extended dry spells, the council sometimes has difficulties meeting water demands.
Carron water supply, which produces 71 metres cubed of water each day, is the most likely not to be able to meet demand during such weather spells.
Contingency plans are in place to supplement this water supply with water from the Ballymacraven Water Treatment Plant when the need arises, explained Acting Director of Services, Walter Walsh.
Mr Walsh admitted that difficulties could also arise in other areas at times of high water demand.
These difficulties are attributed to leaks and burst pipes, the quality of the pipeline and unaccountedfor water use. There are approximately 2,300 kilometres of local authority pipeline in the county, with a current replacement rate of between five and 10 kilometres per year. The rate of replacement depends on the finances available to the council.
“This rate of replacement is wholly inadequate,” said Mr Walsh. “However, in stage three of the Water Conservation Project, the department (of the Environment) provides 90 per cent funding for water mains rehabilitation and replacement,” he said at this month’s meeting of the county council.
However, the Department will require significant improvement in unaccounted for water percentages prior to approving any further increase in treated water capacity
As well as Clare’s 22 water production facilities, water is also purchased from Limerick City Council at Shannon Banks and Meelick, while water is exported to Limerick County Council at Montpellier.