Gormley approves Ardmore Water Supply Scheme plans - Kenneally

The Minister for the Environment, John Gormley TD has approved design proposals to upgrade and expand the water supply infrastructure in Ardmore and surrounding areas under the Ardmore Water Supply Scheme, local Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Kenneally has learned. The scheme has been included for funding under the Department of the Environment’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2012.

Under the scheme, Waterford County Council proposes to undertake a programme of works to improve the water supply to the village of Ardmore, following the recent increase in population. The extensive network of cast iron mains which have been in use for over 70 years will be replaced.

Additionally a new water treatment facility and reservoir are to be constructed at Curragh Hill. The existing reservoirs at Lisakeelty and Dysert are to be refurbished and the capacities of the existing storage reservoirs are to be increased to ensure 24 hour storage.

Speaking about this announcement, Deputy Kenneally said, “This is very good news for everyone in Ardmore and the surrounding areas. There has been a lot of local pressure building to see the water supply scheme improved and advanced in recent months. Now that we have secured approval for the scheme from the Minister, we should start to see some progress in the near future.”

“The next step will be for Waterford County Council to prepare the contract documents for the scheme, which will allow them to seek tenders soon. The Minister is urging the council to prepare these documents quickly, given the very important nature of this water supply scheme and the impact it has on the residents of the region.”

“It is important that we continue to improve and update our water supply services where possible, particularly like in the Ardmore area where the mains our very old and not of adequate size. The Government is committed to ensuring our public water supplies remain of a high standard and I believe once these works are completed we should see a noticeable improvement in the service being provided to the Ardmore area,” Deputy Kenneally concluded.