Coffey welcomes €475,000 of funding for Dunmore East Water Supply Scheme

Fine Gael Waterford Deputy, Paudie Coffey, has welcomed news that the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan TD, has approved €475,000 in funding that will allow for the first phase of works to begin in the Dunmore East Water Supply Scheme. This funding follows on from last week when the Minister approved €2.8 million for the Cheekpoint part of the seven village sewerage upgrade.

“The Grouped Towns and Villages Sewerage Scheme is included in the Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013 at an estimated cost of over €50 million. This is a significant capital investment in county Waterford and includes the villages of Dunmore East, Cheekpoint, Kilmacthomas, Stradbally, Kilmeaden/Ballyduff, Cappoquin and Tallow.

“This phase of the works involves the construction of a new pumping station at Corbally Beg to boost water from the East Waterford Water Supply Scheme to Dunmore East Village. The pumping station will allow the switching of the source for the existing trunk water main, which currently supplies Dunmore East, from Sporthouse reservoir to the more recently constructed and larger capacity service reservoir at Ballydrislane.

“The contract will also include the provision of three small booster pumping stations to boost water from the existing trunk water main into three existing connections to Carriglong, Ballygarran and Brownstown. In addition, the works will allow for a supply of water to Carrigavantry Water Supply Scheme to address an EPA Remedial Action List deficiency in water quality there.

“Water problems have existed in the Dunmore East area for some time and this capital investment in infrastructure will no doubt resolve a lot of these issues. Dunmore East is an attractive tourist destination and this investment will ensure clean coastal waters that will help to underpin the tourism potential of the area.

“When complete, the Scheme will provide modern water infrastructure which will cater for current residential and commercial needs in the towns and villages involved, as well as setting a platform for development needs for the foreseeable future. Furthermore, there are more than 5,000 people living in these seven villages, all of whom will benefit as a result of the upgrading of this infrastructure.”