Irish Water is ‘too slow to respond’ — claim by Kildare councillors

Irish Water / Uisce Éireann (IW) was criticised by a number of Kildare county councillors at the latest Clane-Maynooth Municipal District (MD) meeting on Friday, June 2.

Social Democrats Cllr motioned for Kildare County Council (KCC) to facilitate 'an immediate meeting with IW to discuss the persistent mains water issues to the following areas: Allen, Pluckerstown, Ballintine, Kilmeague, Allenwood, Bluetown, Allenwood South, Lullymore, Drimsree, Killinagh, Dreenane, Derrinturn, Ballyhagan, Ticknevin, Kishawanny, Coolearagh, Blackwood, Robertstown, Dreenane, Robertstown, Newtown Donore, Downings South, Prosperous, Killybegs, Landenstown, Drummin West and surrounding areas in County Kildare.'

His motion was seconded by Fianna Fáil Cllr Daragh Fitzpatrick.

Commenting on the issue, Cllr Farrelly said: "Something seems to be structurally wrong with the mains line (supporting the areas listed)."

Cllr Fitzpatrick added that there seemed to be a burst watermain affecting the areas 'at least once a fortnight'.

He added: "All of us here have had difficulty engaging with IW in the past, but we do need to engage with them as soon as possible (regarding this issue).

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"IW needs to come into a public forum and discuss the matter."

Fine Gael Cllr Tim Durkan voiced his support for Cllr Farrelly and Cllr Fitzpatrick, adding: "I can give an account of one issue with IW that took three years to resolve."

When the prospect of writing to IW came up, Independent Cllr Pádraig McEvoy suggested that the MD office could write to IW ahead of its next clinic (IW run quarterly online clinics), so that the group could carry out research and collect the necessary facts before discussing the issue with the councillors.

In response to their queries, KCC suggested that the councillors could contact IW directly via their email support address at localrepsupport@water.ie, or by phoning 0818178178, or to raise their issues at their next Councillors Clinic, which is due to be held on June 26.