Laois residents 'miss the boat' with Irish Water
Portarlington households have to reapply to water utility
Portarlington residents have missed out on getting their homes connected to the pubic waste water supply according to councillors who want County Hall to push the issue with Uisce Éireann.
The lack of connection for some residents on the road and the difficulties they’ve faced in dealing with the council and the utility were highlighted at a recent meeting with council officials in Portlaoise.
Cllr PJ Kelly, Fine Gael, tabled a motion calling on Laois County Council to contact Irish Water to investigate the possibility of installing a sewage connection to the 25 residents on the Portlaoise Road out of Portarlington and the Canal Road.
Adrian Barrett, Senior Engineer replied in writing.
“The Council will contact Uisce Eireann and revert to the members with an update when a response is received,” he said.
Cllr Kelly hoped progress could be made adding that he has been working with Cllr Aidan Mullins of Sinn Féin to advance the matter.
Cllr Mullins said residents had contacted the water company but were told it was a matter for the local authority. He claimed that the council said a two-year public water scheme is already agreed the inclusion of the residents cannot be considered. This also means they need to reapply to the utility.
“The Ballymorris residents have missed the boat…the next step is to go back to Irish Water. The solution is not at the door of the council but the council needs to drive this,” he said.
The issue was raised at the recent Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District Meeting.