Irish Water pipe replacement work begins on local streets

THE first pneumatic drill bit bit its way through the surface of the streets of Castleisland on Monday morning as an Irish Water crew began its work on the renewal of the town’s water supply pipes.

A section of Lower Main Street was cordoned off on Sunday in preparation for the start-up and the new supply lines are no longer just a ‘pipe’ dream for Castleislanders.

The first stretch to get the treatment is from Fleming’s Auctioneers to the Ivy Leaf Corner or from Hogan’s to Dave Geaney’s Corner in old money.

The town will be divided off like this in four or five sections and each section will take approximately a week to complete – barring the ubiquitous, unforeseen circumstances.

An emergency water supply system has been put in place for businesses along the route of the repairs and parking is being severely restricted in the areas under the focus of the operation.

Locals feel that the upside of the work being carried out now is that it will be all done and dusted by the time the fine weather arrives and by summer it will be a distant memory.

Breakdowns and leaks have been a constant problem throughout the length of Main Street going back years now as the old piping system gradually gave way to the power of the ‘new’ supply.

Though the start-up is a year behind its announced ‘go-time’ it’s being welcomed as a positive development.

There is still a level of incredulity here that asbestos pipes remain in the business of conveying water supplies into homes and business premises locally.

This week’s development is being welcomed as a positive step forward.

Photo by: John Reidy The first bite: Irish Water employee, Gerry Carroll from Tralee breaking the surface on the new water pipe replacement job on Castleisland’s Lower Main Street on Monday morning.