Plans are almost complete for the reintroduction of the Athlone Millennium Plume, a water feature which has been plagued by difficulties, into the river Shannon.
The plume, which sent a jet of water 70 feet into the air, was much admired by local people - until the wind started blowing the water down on top of anyone nearby.
It was particularly upsetting for people trying to walk along the Strand area or waiting at a local funeral parlour for the removal of remains, and there were many complaints to the local Urban District Council.
Since it was installed in the Shannon, the plume has been turned off more often than it was in operation and it became a major talking point in the town.
The council had been instrumental in putting the plume in place in December 1999 and had managed, with the aid of the local diving club, to anchor the plume in the Shannon.
Mr John Walsh, the town clerk, confirmed yesterday that the plume would be going back into the water again in the next week or two, but this time, the nozzle will be different.
"The plume was very spectacular but when the water got caught in the prevailing wind it blew everywhere, creating difficulties, especially for people walking along the river bank," he said.
"We fitted a device to it which should have reduced the flow of water or shut it down when the wind was high, but it did not work out," he said.
"What we are doing now is putting in more equipment which will shape the plume into a fountain which will not be as spectacular in the air but will create a nice design on the surface of the river," he said.
He added that it was possible the device would be placed further out from the bank so there would be no possibility of anyone getting soaked.
Mr Walsh said the plume was a fitting millennium project, and he was looking forward to the new nozzle being put in place.
The project had cost in the region of £25,000 and while there had been a lot of laughter about it, it was a good project for the town, he said.