Louth councillor questions if storm pumps turned off in Dundalk

In a recent meeting with Uisce Éireann (formerly Irish Water) officials, Louth Fine Gael Councillor for Dundalk South, Cllr Robert Nash, questioned whether storm pumps in various pumping stations around Dundalk (including at the Coes Road) had been turned off, in order to prevent excess surface water being released into the Blackwater River.

Cllr Nash called for answers from Uisce Éireann, to a number of questions he had, including the Coes Road pumping stations, financial assistance for sewerage line replacement, and suggested possible solution to water supply issues in Hackballscross.

"I find it very unusual", said Cllr Nash, "that in recent times after heavy rainfall that areas can be underwater for up to 12 hours and then all of a sudden in the space of a couple of hours the water is gone. The only conclusion that I can come to, is that certain pumps in various pumping stations are being deliberately turned off or not being inspected properly."

"Rices Bridge on the Castletown road is another example", he continued. "The incidents of flooding at Rices Bridge have increased significantly over the last number of years and I question whether Boyle O'Reilly pumping station is working properly or not.

"I remember as a child, water being pumped into the Blackwater river during heavy rain to prevent Bay Estate flooding. I understand that it's not best practice to pump storm water into rivers, but when people's property is at risk, surely, they must take precedent."

Cllr Nash told the Dundalk Democrat that Uisce Eireann officials responded by saying that there had been problems recently regarding pumps in a number of stations, but these issues have since been rectified.

On a separate issue, Cllr Nash expressed his disappointed that householders in certain parts of Dundalk have had to replace old clay sewerage lines in their back gardens, at their own expense as Uisce Éireann would not take responsibility for collapsed lines.

"With old infrastructure in many parts of Dundalk, we are seeing a growing trend in collapsed sewerage lines, many in the rear of people's property", he explained.

"Although Irish Water offers a free first leak repair on water mains as well as a grant for lead water mains replacement, there is no similar scheme for a property or in some cases multiple properties who have had to replace collapsed sewer lines.

"I can't understand how Uisce Eireann can charge house builders in areas such as the lower point road for connection to sewerage lines but deny responsibility when problems arise. I would hope that in the future, some assistance will be provided" he added, for what he described as "an ever-growing problem".

At the same meeting, the Fine Gael councillor suggested that a water connection from nearby Crossmaglen could be a temporary solution for residents in Hackballscross and surrounding areas who during a recent power outage found themselves without water for up to two days.

Cllr Nash said that senior engineers in Irish Water explained that the distance of the rising mains line from Dunbin to Hackballscross has led to issues over the last while, especially during ESB outages and that certain solutions were being explored .

Cllr Nash replied by saying, "the obvious solution is already there, and the connection has been used in the past, long before the foundation of Irish Water. Maybe this is something which can be explored further, as an option for residents of this area in times of emergency."