Sod turned on water scheme
LAST week saw the turning of the sod at the Ballyminaun Hill site in Gorey, which now looks set to facilitate the new regional water supply scheme aimed at safeguarding the future of the water supply to more than 16,000 homes and businesses in the area.
The investment of approximately €17 million is a partnership project between Irish Water and Wexford County Council which will provide for a new water treatment plant and reservoir at Ballyminaun Hill, as well as upgrades works to an existing reservoir on location and associated interconnecting infrastructure.
The works will be carried out by Glan Agua Limited on behalf of Irish Water, and will take about 18 months to complete.
The plans which promises to deliver a more secure water supply were originally announced in August.
After a visit to the Amber Springs hotel, Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy was on hand to officially turn the sod on site at Ballyminaun Hill, and he described the project as significant for Gorey.
‘This emphasises Irish Water’s commitment to providing safe, clean drinking water to the public. This is also a hugely positive in terms of creating the right infrastructure for future development in housing and the various services that are dependent on social and economic growth,’ he said.
Wexford County Council Chief Executive Tom Enright said that improving the water supply will help with the development of the St Waleran’s site, purchased by Wexford County Council in June.
‘This upgrade will ensure the town has the security in terms of water supply that a modern Irish town needs in order to grow and prosper.
‘The upgrade in water supply will facilitate the development of the 70 acre St Waleran site for affordable social and private housing and communality facilities to meet residential demand into the future,’ he said.