Rural Water News Spring 2008 Leinster Region by Barry De<strong>an</strong>e & Joe Gallagher Carlow Commissioning is underway on the St Mullins Parish GWS DBO treatment pl<strong>an</strong>t. This will take a number of weeks, as theirs is one of the more technical pl<strong>an</strong>ts to process prove. The universal metering contract is almost complete at this stage. *** Ballinabr<strong>an</strong>na GWS treatment pl<strong>an</strong>t has been commissioned <strong>an</strong>d is being operated by EPS. The scheme has noticed a considerable drop in daily dem<strong>an</strong>d since the first metered bills were issued late last year. Contracts for a distribution mains upgrade were signed recently <strong>an</strong>d work will start shortly. Besides replacing m<strong>an</strong>y smaller mains, the upgrade will link two sections of the scheme currently being fed from separate sources. *** Knock/Ballyglisheen GWS, a small scheme in south Carlow with water quality problems is considering upgrade solutions. *** Carlow & Wexford GWS Federation held its AGM in Ballon in February. The location was chosen to encourage the attend<strong>an</strong>ce from Wexford. This had the desired effect as a number of Wexford <strong>an</strong>d all Carlow schemes were represented. The meeting forwarded two motions to the ADC in relation to training <strong>an</strong>d funding for GWS m<strong>an</strong>agement. Silliot Hill, Blackrath <strong>an</strong>d Clongorey GWS. *** Pl<strong>an</strong>s are in place to install disinfection on Kilteel GWS over the next few months. *** Gorm<strong>an</strong>stown GWS met EPS Ltd. for a site meeting in February. Work on the DBO treatment pl<strong>an</strong>t will begin over the next few weeks. The committee is proposing to relocate to a new reservoir site as part of its upgrade, subject to a suitable site being purchased. The committee advertised for the post of part-time m<strong>an</strong>ager in recent months <strong>an</strong>d is due to make <strong>an</strong> appointment shortly. *** Narraghmore GWS is considering upgrade proposals. The scheme will be intersected a number of times by the New N81 <strong>an</strong>d the committee is liaising with the NRA on this matter. Water quality is of a high st<strong>an</strong>dard, but the committee is <strong>an</strong>xious to replace critical mains <strong>an</strong>d install meters. *** It is hoped to begin work this year on the proposed Mountprospect/Clonbrin GWS. This publicly-sourced GWS is a cross border project between Kildare <strong>an</strong>d Offaly <strong>an</strong>d requires agreement by both county councils on a Section 85 before construction c<strong>an</strong> go ahead. People in the area are frustrated with the delay on the project <strong>an</strong>d expect that both local authorities c<strong>an</strong> come to <strong>an</strong> agreement shortly. Kilkenny At its J<strong>an</strong>uary meeting, the Rural Water Monitoring Committee discussed upgrading proposals for 2008. The committee hopes to improve overall draw down of funds within the county. *** Kilkenny Federation of Group Water Schemes held its AGM in February. The meeting was attended by Michael Arthurs, Rural Water Liaison Officer <strong>an</strong>d Eamon Mahon, Engineer, both from Kilkenny Co. Council. Michael Arthurs outlined what is happening in the water services in Kilkenny <strong>an</strong>d areas where improvements are being made. The county council is currently mapping all sources <strong>an</strong>d distribution mains within the county <strong>an</strong>d adding this information on their CIS. Motions on source protection <strong>an</strong>d capital gr<strong>an</strong>t aid were submitted to the ADC. *** Kilkenny Co. Co. <strong>an</strong>d the NFGWS are jointly pl<strong>an</strong>ning to meet several schemes in the county that have water quality issues. It is hoped to agree sustainable solutions. *** Four of the five Kilkenny group water schemes involved in the South Leinster DBO project are now being operated by EPS Ltd. <strong>an</strong>d commissioning is due to commence shortly on the Ballycall<strong>an</strong> GWS where a site meeting took place in the first week of March. Improvement works on the Ballycall<strong>an</strong> reservoir will also commence shortly. *** Highrath GWS completed <strong>an</strong> upgrade to its treatment <strong>an</strong>d storage facilities two years ago but is now considering some critical mains replacement. Kildare The RWMC met in J<strong>an</strong>uary to review progress during 2007 <strong>an</strong>d to look at proposals for the coming year. The committee hopes to start work on several takeover projects shortly, including Contracts for <strong>an</strong> upgrade on the Ballinabr<strong>an</strong>na GWS network were signed on 15 February. Present were Cllr Jim Townsend, Cathaoirleach, Carlow Co. Co., John Carley, A. Director of Services, Carlow Co. Co., Austin Kinsella, Chairperson, Ballinabr<strong>an</strong>na GWS, Liz Amond, Secretary, Ballinabr<strong>an</strong>na GWS, Mary Cotter, EAE Consult<strong>an</strong>cy Ltd <strong>an</strong>d David Walsh, Contractor. 24
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