Into the future

Rural Water News Autumn 2006
The local GWS committees
rose to meet those challenges
and following a series of public
meetings during 2002 and
2003, a new joint committee
was formed with representatives
from each of the five
schemes involved.
Contract award
In October 2003, the tender
for constructing the new
scheme was awarded to
Campbell Contracts of
Tempo, County Fermanagh.
EPS of Ballyhaunis, County
Mayo secured the contract
for the installation of pumping
stations and other
mechanical and electrical
works.
In addition to raising the
substantial 15% local contribution
across the new
scheme (which includes just
350 widely dispersed households),
the joint committee
set about securing wayleaves,
acquiring sites for six new
pumping stations and two
reservoirs, all the time keeping
the local community
informed of progress.
Construction of over 70
kilometres of new main, as
well as the pumping stations
and reservoirs and a programme
of universal metering
began in October 2004,
under the supervision of local
man, Brian O’Hagan.
According to Des Joyce, it
was not all plain sailing:
‘The project presented many
challenges such as rock, poor
ground and disruption to traffic
and local occupants. It has
to be said though that all difficulties
were dealt with in a
practical and professional
manner by all the parties concerned’.
Completion
With the completion of the
project in July, each of glens
was supplied through a service
reservoir, with several booster
pumps providing water to
homes in more elevated
areas. Quality drinking water
is supplied through a bulk
meter at Manorhamilton.
There was a sense of
achievement at the July
launch, the newly-formed
amalgamated committee
clearly delighted that so
much had been achieved in a
relatively short timeframe.
Even so, there was a recognition
that their task is far from
over and that the work will
continue in managing distribution
of the treated supply
and ensuring that the network
is regularly scoured.
And given the record of this
committee to date, the people
of Glenfarne and Glenboy
can rest assured that the
future of their water scheme
is in capable hands.
Clockwise from top right: The 47,000 gallon reservoir serving Glenfarne;
Des Joyce of Bluehills Consulting Engineers with Environment Minister,
Dick Roche, TD; the 63,000 gallon reservoir supplying Glenboy;
Donaghmore pumphouse, one of six pumphouses constructed as part of
the a2.6 million upgrade.
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