Works to strengthen Drogheda water supply welcomed

Louth Sinn Féin TD, Deputy Joanna Byrne, has welcomed confirmation from Uisce Eireann that works are underway to improve water pressure and strengthen water supplies in north Drogheda.

Speaking after receiving the news Deputy Byrne said : “In the past as a Drogheda councillor and since being elected as a TD, I have constantly and consistently raised the issues with water services in Drogheda and advocated for works to resolve the problems.

“The latest and most pressing issue was in the Termon Abbey area, College Rise, Harmoney Heights, and Beaulieu Village, which began last November, after a new housing development was connected to the network up the road.

“Residents in parts of Termon Abbey, Drogheda who have been living in their houses for almost 30 years, woke up one morning, turned their taps and only a trickle of water flowed out.

“Washing machines, dishwashers and electric showers got damaged. For almost 30 years they didn’t have a water supply problem, and after that day Limetree Avenue, especially, but in several areas throughout the north side of Drogheda, have had water pressure problems.

“What vexed me, and the residents, the most was that initially Uisce Eireann were denying there was a problem with the water supply in north Drogheda.

“After several months of emails going nowhere, I raised this directly with Uisce Eireann at the Public Accounts Committee.

“I secured an agreement to meet with senior officials in Uisce Eireann following that hearing. I met with them on Friday 30th of October to discuss all of the water pressure issues on the North side of Drogheda but focusing on immediately restoring an adequate water supply to Limetree Avenue in Termon Abbey.

“Since that meeting, the water pressure has improved substantially in the area, and data loggers are checking that the pressure does not drop to substandard levels.

“I made it abundantly clear that any progress in water pressure and delivery now could not be lost later on. The increase in pressure will put strains on weak parts of the network, but there are plans in the works to sort that as well.”

Deputy Byrne continued: “There are also several capital projects planned for down to road to ensure that the new housing developments, and the thousands of new Drogheda residents who will live in them, along the PANCR, are properly supplied with water, at an adequate water pressure.

“I have received the cast iron assurances that there is enough water supply capacity to supply the future growth of Drogheda, and we now have a resolution to the water pressure issues in Termon Abbey and surrounding areas.”

Deputy Byrne added, “I want to commend the residents in the estates affected by these issues. They never stopped advocating for a resolution, even when they were being told there was no problem with the water pressure in their area, they stuck to their guns and now we have the proper fixes underway.”