No clean water for Gurteen as Councillors plead for new supply
LOCAL councillors have issued a plea to change Gurteen’s water supply source from Lough Gara in Roscommon to nearby Lough Talt.
Cllr Paul Taylor submitted a motion to ask Sligo County Council to take the necessary steps to change the village’s water supply, saying it’s an issue that has been on the agenda many times and that he will keep bringing it up as long as it takes.
He said: “This is a huge issue and is something that effects thousands of homes. They are getting their water supply from Roscommon at the moment and people are up in arms over its quality.
“Some people have even had to install filters which come at a huge cost to householders. We have been told that it is possible to bring into Gurteen from Lough Talt through a 180ml pipe which is only 2km from the village. The time has come to make this a priority.”
Cllr Taylor added that the issue is not going to go away and that he will keep it on the agenda.
“We are constantly listening to how much sugar is in soft drinks, drinking water is so important. This has been going on long enough.”
Cllr Margaret Gormley seconded Cllr Taylor’s motion and said that it has been an ongoing problem for years.
“I find it hard to understand why the Lough Talt scheme can’t go into Gurteen when it is so near.
“People in Gurteen are either going out to buy water or a lot are going through a well. It’s unfair they can’t use tap water. It’s wrong.”
She added: “There have been some cases where washing machines have been destroyed. They shouldn’t be depending on another county when Lough Talt is so near.”
Lough Talt Regional Water Supply Scheme was approved by the government in 2011 as part of its Water Services Investment Programme 2010- 2012. Irish Water invested € 1.9m in April of this year. The lake is located between Tubbercurry, Aclare and Bunnyconnellan, about 500m above sea level and covers nearly 200 acres of land. It is already the main water supply source for a number of towns and villages in south Sligo.
Cllr Jerry Lundy said it was time Gurteen was able to avail of its supply and have proper drinking water.
“If Irish Water were to prepare all the leaks there would be plenty of water for Gurteen. Lough Talt on the hottest day of the year has beautiful cold clean water.”
Cllr Dara Mulvey said that Irish Water is currently upgrading Roscommon’s system, which Gurteen uses, and that they must wait to see what comes from a formal request issued to the company.
Cllr Taylor then asked the council to keep Gurteen in mind when contacting Irish Water replies.
“I am asking that whatever response you get to make sure for the Gurteen area that we deal with this issue properly.
“We must put as much pressure on Irish Water as possible to resolve this massive issue.”