A local representative has spoken out against the unacceptable water outages in Tipperary's largest town, Clonmel, highlighting the impact on businesses and the community.
The water crisis in Clonmel: a disaster for the town's economy and reputation.
Fianna Fáil councillor Siobhán Ambrose brought a motion to the Clonmel Borough District meeting in November, calling for action to address the frequent water outages in the area. She expressed frustration over the lack of contingency plans and effective communication, stating that the current situation is simply "inexcusable."
"Any planned works should ensure an uninterrupted water supply for Clonmel, but this has not been the case recently," Ambrose's motion emphasized. "If additional resources are needed, they must be made available seven days a week to maintain continuity."
Speaking passionately in the council chamber, Ambrose highlighted the primary issue of communication surrounding outages. "The amount of outages occurring is unacceptable, and the lack of proper communication makes it even worse," she said. "Clonmel seems to be the worst-affected area, and this needs to change."
But here's where it gets controversial... Ambrose criticized Uisce Éireann's maintenance practices, suggesting that the utility company's crews only work a five-day week, leading to issues over the weekend. She compared this to the previous arrangement when Tipperary County Council had control of water services, with maintenance staff on call 24/7.
"The current setup is not acceptable, especially when businesses are suffering. Hairdressers, cafes, and restaurants have to close early on busy days like Saturdays due to water outages. We're in a critical situation," Ambrose added.
Mayor of Clonmel, Pat English, agreed, describing the situation as a "disaster" for the town. He highlighted the impact on businesses, with one local employer considering moving out of Clonmel due to the frequent water outages, which would be detrimental to the town's economy.
Councillor Tom Acheson also expressed concern, stating that the level of boil water notices in the area is "off the Richter scale." He emphasized the impact on businesses and homes across Clonmel.
Uisce Éireann acknowledged the investment they are making in Clonmel, but Councillor Acheson noted that the service and follow-up are poor, leaving residents and businesses in limbo regarding the restoration of their water supply.
In response, Uisce Éireann stated that they are taking steps to minimize disruptions and have improved the overall resilience of the water supply in recent years. They highlighted the three treatment plants supplying Clonmel and the surrounding areas and the challenges posed by weather events and heavy rainfall.
"Uisce Éireann crews work over weekends to restore water supply as quickly as possible, and ongoing upgrade works will significantly improve the situation," a company statement said.
The water utility also emphasized their engagement with local elected representatives and their value for feedback. They held a workshop with Tipperary County Council members in October to provide an update on their work in Clonmel.
So, what do you think? Is the current situation in Clonmel acceptable, or should more be done to ensure a reliable water supply? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
