'Changing Clonmel water supply to hard water will be bedlam for businesses,' says Tipperary TD
Independent TD for Tipperary South Mattie McGrath has today raised the issue of Uisce Éireann's plans for the Clonmel water supply
Deputy Mattie McGrath today has raised the issue of plans to transfer homes and businesses in Clonmel to a hard water public supply, during a topical issues discussion in the Dáil.
Deputy McGrath’s concerns were heard by Emer Higgins of Fine Gael during the Dáil discussion today. Deputy Higgins was taking the issue on behalf of the relevant minister, who in this case is Minster James Browne and Minister John Cummins.
McGrath explained he had concerns regarding Uisce Éireann’s proposed plans for the Clonmel water supply.
“Uisce Eireann are currently working on a twenty million investment project to move sections of consumers on Clonmel water to a different source. The so-called solution includes upgrades to the water treatment plant at Monroe, a new filtration pumping station and a 15km pipe.
“They will see hard water be brought into all parts of Clonmel.” said Deputy McGrath.
He explained that the water source for most of Clonmel is currently uphill from a supply in Waterford that has worked for 200 years without any issues.
“The chamber of commerce have expressed huge concerns about the costs. Remember, all the business people in Clonmel pay for their water. They pay quite dearly and expect to have water that will not destroy all of their equipment.
“People living in the bypass in Clonmel are already on hard water and they have huge problems. There is also huge cost implications for putting in softeners, and Irish water won’t even put in a big softener at the source. We’re begging them to leave the water supply, why would you cut off a supply that’s working. They say it’s because of standards of water, but it’s always been a very high standard.
“Business people have sat down with Irish Water, the manager of Clonmel Park Hotel, Richie Gleeson of Gleeson's Bar and Nuala Hickey of Hickeys bakery. They’re long established businesses and they don’t want this to happen.
“It’s going to cause havoc to their equipment and who’s going to support them. They’re already struggling in business without doing this mad so-called solution. It’s not a solution. It’s going to be bedlam for businesses and customers and it’s not acceptable that a company like Irish Water are accountable and answerable to nobody, that’s why I’m pleading for the Minister to bring them in and have somebody talk to them about the nonsense that’s being carried on.”
Emer Higgins of Fine Gael said she was happy to pass on McGrath's feedback to the relevant Ministers.
She concluded that “our water supplies need substantial investment. What’s important for your constituents in Clonmel to know is that this investment will deliver significant improvements in our public water and wastewater services and it will support a range of improved water supplies across Ireland.”