Praise for Irish Water’s work in Glanworth

A NORTH Cork councillor broke new ground this week when he heaped praise on the much maligned Irish Water during the Northern Area meeting of Cork County Council.

The spirit of Valentine’s Day may have been in the air still on Monday morning when Cllr Frank O’Flynn praised the utility for its role in securing emergency funding to replace leaking pipes which had left the village and community of Glanworth without water for a five day period during January.

“Normally you don’t hear councillors congratulating Irish Water and thanking them but I would thank Irish Water most sincerely for the help and support of senior management, being able to meet them and talk to them,” said Cllr O’Flynn who also praised Cork County Council officials for their role in addressing the issues.

“Emergency funding has been secured to carry out the replacement works,” said Cllr O’Flynn who acknowledged that the utility had already set its budget for repairs and replacements

He detailed how investiations had found a number of significant leaks in the 400m stretch of 60 year old piping from Dunmahon Quarry to the river and one of the leaks was under the newly built extension of a house, underlining the complexity of the operation to complete the repairs.

The replacement of the pipes is to take place later this year as works are hampered at present by the sodden nature of the poor ground where the worst section of the pipes are located.

“It’s very important that this matter is being dealt with,” said Cllr O’Flynn. “As more people are at home, children doing remote learning and adults working from home, there’s more demand for water.

“Farmers are also dependent on a reliable water supply.”

Cllr Flynn estimated that the cost of the replacement works could be close to half a million euro.