Group Water Schemes throughout North Tipp are ‘under serious pressure’ 

 
  Group Water Schemes are “under serious pressure” in the region, the councillors of Lower Ormond were told recently. 
  The Councillors of Nenagh Municipal District pointed out during their recent meeting that the future of these schemes, which have been so successful for decades, is under threat. They said they know of a number of instances in the Lower Ormond area during recent months where residents have been without water for two or three days while pipe leaks are being repaired. In these instances the residents have to rely on bottled water. 
  “In one of my past lives,” commented Cllr Joe Hannigan, “I was in a Group Water Scheme which had 79 houses. I am therefore very familiar with the challenges which these schemes are now facing. 
  “The voluntary spirit in the Group Water Scheme is inspiring. The GWS system was put in place in the eighties. They are now over 40 years old and are no longer fit for purpose. Many of the pipes are suffering from leaks again and again. To repair the leaks 15% matchfunding has to be raised by the GWS voluntary committees. However the ESB has been steadily raising its prices for fixing the pipes. The committees can’t meet these higher prices. People are getting out of the voluntary groups because they don't want the headache of it all.  
  “Now more and more houses are being asked to give €200, €300, €400 towards these higher costs. The people in the houses are pointing out that the concept behind the GWS is that it is free. I hear too that Irish Water / Uisce Eireann won’t get involved (perhaps that’s a fortunate thing). It’s obviously crucially important that the government review the funding and running of these schemes. A lot of people on the committees want to get out, and there is no one to replace them.” 
  Cllr Michael O’Meara remarked that he fully agreed with Cllr Hannigan’s comments. “This is a nationwide problem, which the government is going to have to deal with. In the eighties the Group Water Schemes were a godsend and were instrumental in transforming a lot of rural areas. But now the overall system needs an overhaul. 
  “For example, there’s a scheme in my area, which covers about 30 houses, where they are snowed under with the paperwork. There’s boxes of correspondence. The costs have got higher, for something which was supposed to be free. The pipes are often sprouting leaks. Sometimes the water pressure is low or it cuts out altogether. There are many areas like this. Overall, it’s a timebomb waiting to explode.” 
  Cllr Ger Darcy pointed out that in spite of these problems Group Water Schemes are still supplying good quality water. “The Group Water Schemes are just as good, in terms of water quality, as most Uisce Eireann schemes and often better. Sometimes the government department provides 85% funding for them, sometimes 100%. It is true that the department does need to provide more support. Some of the schemes are very small, only a half dozen houses or so. There’s a lot of responsibility on the shoulders of the volunteers on the committees and they are feeling jaded. I have nothing but the highest regard for the people on these committees.” 
  Cllr Hannigan pointed out that many of the committees have formed limited companies which means they have to spend €2,000 per year for audited accounts. He said he recently spoke to a member of one of these committees, “and she wasn’t far from tears as she was telling me about the pressures. She was telling me about water shortage problems caused by leaking pipes and the houseowners giving out to the committee members, and four leaks in just a few weeks. Typically, it could cost €150,000 to repair a section of mains. The government will supply 85% of this funding, which means the committee will have to raise the remaining 15%, which could be €20,000 or €30,000. It’s crippling for the GWS committees.” 
  It was pointed out that there’s talk of Irish Water taking over the GWS system, “but,” remarked Cllr Darcy, “the vast majority of people don’t want Irish Water / Uisce Eireann involved with the GWS system.”