Residents of Killenard Lodge were again without water over the weekend, when a number of families were celebrating their children’s Communion.
“It was very embarrasing, we couldn’t even flush toilets,” one resident said.
The water supply was intermittent on both Saturday and Sunday, meaning residents were unable to do basic things such as use a washing machine/dishwasher or flush toilets.
Residents were also without water again on Wednesday night.
It is believed that low pressure is being caused by a leak in the supply.
It could be as late as 2018 by the time houses there are connected to a main water supply.
However, an emergency meeting on the issue in Laois County Council was held yesterday (Thursday) and the council is now understood to be taking over responsibility for the water supply until it is connected to the mains supply.
The spokesperson for the residents expressed gratitude to Councillors Tom Mulhall and Aidan Mullins for their efforts on the issue. “We owe them a favour for all they have done for us,” the spokesperson said.
A boil water notice has been in place at the estate since March, 2015. Analysis last November found Coliform and E. Coli which poses a “potential danger to human health”.
It has also been confirmed by Irish Water that there is no timeframe yet for water main works at Canal Road in Portarlington which is required to connect Killenard Lodge to the mains water supply.
Water main
“Irish Water has committed to installing 700m of a new water main on Canal Road in Portarlington,” a statement from the water utility confirmed.
“Irish Water is progressing this project which is currently at tender stage. Once the tender process is complete Irish Water will provide a timeframe for construction.
“Once the new water main is fully installed an application for a water connection can be made to Irish Water for Killenard Lodge to connect to the new water infrastructure,” the statement read.
In the meantime, the spokesperson for the residents said they can live with the boil water notice, as long as they have a secure water supply.
“I know it sounds dramatic, but if there was a fire we can’t even guarantee that we would have water to put it out,” the local resident said.
