McGuinness bemoans poor water supply in Kilkenny region

Fianna Fail TD for Carlow-Kilkenny, John McGuinness has called on the government to fast-track a solution to stop poor water supply from entering homes in the Clogh and Moneenroe areas of North Kilkenny.

For the past number of years, a number of homeowners in the region have reported poor water quality which has interfered with showering, flushing the toilet and other household activities.

It's understood a permanent solution is in the pipeline but an estimated completion time is still a number of years away.

Speaking in the Dáil recently, Deputy McGuinness expressed his frustration at the ongoing issue.

"Boil water notices are regularly issued to the communities of Clogh and Moneenroe. They are fed up and sick to the teeth of what they are experiencing. They turn on the water, flush the loo or have a shower and they never know when the water will turn to brown treacle-like liquid. It is absolutely disgusting and it is wrong in this day and age that people are expected to just suck it up and are being told the issue is being dealt with and Irish Water will get back to them," Deputy McGuinness said.

"Is it not time Irish Water looked at whatever technology is available today, increased funding for the provision of proper, drinkable water to Clogh and Moneenroe and front-loaded the investment to get the job done? This has gone on for far too long and the people in the area are upset, although they tolerate this to a degree," he added.

"I ask the Minister of State to get Irish Water to apply itself to this issue and examine it in detail. It has been looking at the issue for many years. Why is the problem still going on? Why does Irish Water not take immediate action to deal with the problem? Surely this issue is not unique to Clogh and Moneenroe. Surely this type of problem has arisen with water supplies elsewhere and Irish Water can learn from that. If a new water source is needed, it should have been provided years ago," commented Mr McGuinness.

"I get letters from people on this issue. Bottles of the water have been sent to my office. I know what the water looks like. I have been in houses where I have seen it. A person cannot drink it. There are particles in the water. I know Irish Water flushes out the system from time to time, which can also cause a problem. It is not good enough in this day and age, with so much money being invested by Irish Water, that this local community has been left on the long finger. Enough is enough. I am asking the Minister of State to bring forward a longer-term solution in order that this community can, at least, be assured it will have a continuation of quality water supply." the Kilkenny TD concluded.