Funding for Murrisk water supply construction now in place – Ring

Westport-based Mayo TD Michael Ring has confirmed that all the required funding for the construction of the new proposed €8 million Murrisk Community Water Connection is now in place.

The proposed Murrisk Community Water Connection will connect over 500 households in the Murrisk region with water from the Lough Mask Water Supply and provide clean drinking water to the community.

The delivery of the project has been delayed in recent months despite two contractors being appointed in May to carry out the works on the project.

However, Deputy Michael Ring today (Tuesday) confirmed that all funding required for the project is now in place.

“I am delighted to confirm that all of the required funding for the construction of the new Murrisk Community Water Connection is now in place

“This has been a long journey to get to where we are today. The overall cost of the Murrisk Community Water Connection is €8,242,381. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage have approved funding of €6,076,949.00 for the project. The balance of €2,165,432.00 will be provided by a Local Contribution from the 500 - 550 households in the Murrisk, Lecanvey and Kilsallagh communities that will benefit from the new scheme and also a contribution from Uisce Éireann,” he said.

In May, Winters Contractors from north Mayo were appointed to carry out work on the main line along the main road from the junction of the West Road and Pound Road to Kilsallagh while Carty Contractors from Collooney were appointed to complete the work on the distribution mains throughout the hinterland from Belclare to Bouris.

The Murrisk community have campaigned for a number of years for a clean water supply with their current supply coming from Croagh Patrick and requires boiling before it can be consumed. A cross-community steering committee was set up to highlight the problem with the poor water supply to the region which attracts thousands of visitors each year who climb Croagh Patrick.

Deputy Ring said that he has worked hard to ensure that the Lough Mask Water Supply is connected to Murrisk and looked forward to the work going ahead.

“This is a very significant day for the Murrisk Community Water Connection. I look forward to seeing this project being delivered in a timely manner,” he said.

“This is a project that I have worked on continuously for the last number of years. When I was in Cabinet, both former Minister Eoghan Murphy and I ensured that Murrisk Community Water Connection was included in the Programme.

“When this work is completed it will bring, for the first time, a piped water supply of high quality water to approximately 500/550 homes from Belclare to Kilsallagh,” concluded Deputy Ring.