Will we have enough water for new homes? Louth County Council Cathaoirleach 'extremely concerned' following session with Uisce Éireann
Cathaoirleach Kevin Callan described the session as 'not adequate' stating a lack of clarity around water supply
Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council Kevin Callan has said he is extremely concerned about the capacity and future provision of water services and wastewater in the county following a session he chaired with Uisce Eireann and Louth County Council on Monday in County Hall.
Speaking on the session, Mr. Callan described the session as "not adequate" as he said officials who attended from Irish Water were "not in a position to provide clarity on where the county is at in terms of homes we are tasked to build as a local authority."
He also said that there was a lack of clarity around how, as a planning authority, the volumes of properties the Council are to grant permission for and whether or not they are on top of providing the service required in the next five years.
The Cathaoirleach said his questions were partly answered when a figure was provided of approximately 2000 new homes which could be facilitated in Dundalk.
However, he said it was also heard that the Blackrock supply may be switched to service the town of Dundalk, he said: "This is not reliable or acceptable, Blackrock is itself an area being developed with new homes."
In Drogheda, the Northern Cross Route can accommodate thousands of homes but he said: "it is of no use if we can't provide water services and could have an impact on existing homes and businesses."
"We cannot tolerate a situation where new homes and existing homes are left with a poor service and supply."
Louth County Council said it had previously been in touch with Irish Water flagging its concerns as a local authority and the need for this matter to be addressed.
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Mr. Callan said: "I am also aware that there are limits of the amount of water that can be taken from the River Boyle in Drogheda and this needs to be answered categorically as to where we are.
"I am now waiting for the officials from Irish Water to come back to me with the specific figures for Drogheda and how many new homes could be serviced from the system currently."
Mr. Callan said he is "extremely concerned" there will not have supply for the thousands of homes that are expected to be built.
He concluded: "This will have an impact across the county as we surge forward to build homes that people are demanding."