Water extension planned

Welcome Margaret Adams

Construction of Westport water extension in the pipeline

Anton McNulty

CONSTRUCTION on the water pipeline extension from Shrah to Westport should begin in early 2008 after Mayo County Council were given the go-ahead to seek tenders for the scheme.
The €22 million scheme also includes the upgrading of the treatment works at Tourmakeady, a new trunk water main from Shrah to Westport, and a 4,000 cubic metre reservoir at Farnaught, near Westport. Water will be brought directly from Lough Mask to Westport and the production capacity of the plant will increase substantially from 27,500 cubic metres per day to a new daily output of 40,600 cubic metres.
Mr Pat Cummins, Senior Executive officer with Mayo County Council, told The Mayo News that the tendering and evaluation process could take between three and six months and he hoped construction would begin in early or mid-2008.
“Our plan would be to start construction in early 2008 or in the second quarter and if everything goes to plan the project should be completed in two years. It will upgrade and increase the existing supply of water intake at Tourmakeady and will bring water from Shrah to Westport, to allow for the extension on to Louisburgh. Any group scheme along the route which has an inadequate supply will also be connected,” he said.
At present, Westport gets its water supply from Mohar lake on the Leenane road, augmented by a supply from Lough Mask via Castlebar, and has often had to postpone ambitious projects because of the inadequate water supply. The new project will also provide a regular water supply along the route to Louisburgh which will replace the current water supply drawn from the Bunowen river.
Cllr Margaret Adams welcomed the announcement and said that areas along the new route will finally be provided with an adequate water supply.
“The new reservoir will allow the water to be supplied to Louisburgh, which is very important, because the people of Louisburgh have been living for years with substandard water. The direct water supply to Westport will be of great benefit in attracting industry to the town in the future,” she said.
Beverly Flynn TD said the scheme would allow for future development in the areas connected to the scheme and the existing capacity to Castlebar, Claremorris and Ballinrobe would also be enhanced.
“This is a huge boost for Westport and the Clew Bay region and it will cater for the needs of Westport and Louisburgh, and for all the communities through Murrisk, Lecanvey and Kilsallagh which up to now have been dependent for water supply on wells or hill streams.”