Taps running dry all over Wicklow

July 2008

Water services in Wicklow town have been described as ‘ third world’ after thousands of homes were left without a supply over the weekend.

Two burst pipes in Ashford on Sunday left many homes in the area without water from lunchtime that day. As a result there were problems with the reservoir at Cronroe. The lack of pressure also left to difficulties refilling the Greenhills Reservoir.

Cllr John O’Brien of Mount Carmel was one of the householders left without water and feels the council’s failure to keep up with the level of development taking place is the main reason for the shortages.

‘Its a third world system going nowhere,’ insists the long-standing council member. Places affected included the Rocky Road, Castle Street, Mount Carmel, Yachtsman’s Point, High Street, New Street and Wicklow Heights.

Most homes didn’t receive any water until the early hours of Monday morning, while others were still waiting for their supply to return on Monday evening.

There are plans for a new water plant but Cllr. O’Brien says he will believe it when he sees it.

‘We have had these sort of promises before. We were promised a reserve stock before and that never happened. What we have is an archaic system. This wasn’t the first shortage and I’m afraid to say it won’t be the last,’ he said.