Kildorrery water tower ‘may or may not’ be demolished
Kildorrery water tower ‘may or may not be demolished, subject to funding’ according to a water services report issued to the Northern Committee at this week's online meeting, reports Katie Glavin.
Under the Capital Water Schemes section of the report, it notes that the existing tower site in Kildorrery is the site for a new reservoir, for which, planning permission has been granted.
“The solution includes a new ground-level tank with a boosting system for relevant sections of the network. The availability of funding for this project is under consideration,” the report reads.
One option proposed would be to retain the existing water tower and augment with a smaller reservoir, whereas the second option is to knock the tower and install a new larger, low-rise tower.
The ' options report' has been prepared and Cork County Council are currently awaiting a decision and approval from Irish Water. “We are now hopeful of progress in the very near future,” the report states.
COMMUNICATION
Noreen Dunne of the Kildorrery Community Development CLG, told The Avondhu that the development would be needed ‘at some stage’ due to capacity issues, wherein if a break occurs, water supply for the village would only last a short time.
“It is needed, there’s definitely a need to have it addressed, but right now supply and pressure is good but if there’s a break, that’s where the problem is,” she said.
A number of years ago, Kildorrery Water Group was established when there were huge issues in the village at the time, particularly in relation to bad pressure due to seized valves, however, this issue was resolved with the council.
While Cork County Council has communicated with locals in Kildorrery regarding the water tower on previous occasions, it is understood that recently, there has been no communication regarding the issue.
“We know nothing about it. It must be about four years ago when we had any conversation with the council and at that stage, they were looking for an alternative site for the water tower. Our pressure is quite good and we don’t have any problems at the moment,” Noreen added.
'NO BACKUP'
According to local councillor Frank O'Flynn, a larger tower is required for the area as if a break occurs, the tower will currently only supply a few hours of water before running completely dry.
"This is something I've been pushing on for years. It's needed to meet the existing and future development needs in Kildorrery in relation to families, houses, business people and farmers.
"We need this development to improve storage. There's currently no back up, so if there is any leak whatsoever, the tower runs completely dry," Cllr O'Flynn told The Avondhu.