Locals angry over Clare water supply

Residents of the Newmarketon-Fergus district in Co Clare are concerned about what they claim is an inadequate water supply with…

Residents of the Newmarketon-Fergus district in Co Clare are concerned about what they claim is an inadequate water supply with poor pressure and frequent water cuts. They say that in spite of meetings at all political levels "absolutely nothing has happened".

Mr Larry Walsh, a director of the board of Obair, a local community resource organisation, claimed they were depending on a water supply built nearly 50 years ago.

Newmarket and its environs, with a population of about 4,000, is depending on a pump house built in the 1950s and designed to put through 30,000 gallons a day. It now has to put through 110,000 gallons a day, according to Mr Walsh.

"The result is that we have to put up with the supply being cut off periodically in winter and frequently in summer, very bad pressure and an exceedingly poor-quality product. Repairs to the pump house are ongoing", he said.

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Mr Walsh claimed that there is an overall plan for a water supply to the south east of Clare and this will be implemented when funds from Brussels are committed to the project.

"Newmarket cannot wait and must have an adequate water supply available to its people so that they can develop and expand. Connection to the Shannon supply at Ballycasey would seem to be the best and most cost effective option," he added.