This article is from page 21 of the 2012-07-03 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 21 JPG
A COUNCILLOR has said he will not pay any proposed water charges until work is carried out to replace all lead pipes and mains in Ennis.
Cllr Frankie Neylon (Ind) told yesterday’s meeting of Ennis Town Council that he will refuse to pay the charge until lead pipes are replaced at Connolly Villas.
Clare County Council is aiming to undertake work to replace lead piping at 82 houses in Ennis comprising 64 at Marian Avenue and 18 at Linnane’s Terrace (Carmody St), and Ahearn’s Terrace (Kilrush Road).
Yesterday’s meeting of Ennis Town Council heard that work is due to commence at Ahearn Terrace in Au- gust and work at Linnane’s Terrace and Marian Avenue will proceed after Ahearn Terrace.
The council is responsible for the part of the service pipe from the point of connection to the main as far as the property boundary; the owner or occupier of the premises is responsible for the part from the property boundary into the premises.
The council has no programme for planned replacement of lead service pipes in Ennis, which it estimates would cost well over € 1 million.
However Cllr Neylon told the meeting that residents of Connolly Villas are disappointed that lead replacement works have not taken place there.
He said, “If someone comes to put a water meter in my house, I will refuse them and the people of Connolly Villas will refuse.
Town Engineer Eamon O’Dea said that as the mains at Connolly Villas is made from cast iron; the area did not qualify for the current works programme. Mr O’Dea suggested that a grant system, similar to that offered for home insulation, be offered to homeowners to replace lead pipes and networks. He said it could be done in conjunction with the planned installation of water meters.
A proposal from Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) and Cllr Neylon, stating that the council request that if and when a water meter programme is being planned that it should include replacement of lead watermains and service pipes in the works, was passed at the meeting.