Councillors demand action to tackle Birr's water problem

SEVERAL councillors called for urgent action to tackle Birr's “unacceptable” water problem, during the January meeting of Birr Municipal District.
A large part of Birr was without water for several hours on St Stephen's Day, causing irritation and worry for many people.
The problem began when pipes burst on Orchard Lane, causing water outages to a wide area including Moorpark Street, High Street, Park Rise and Hollypark.
Last Friday many houses were without water again, in a number of areas, including Syngefield and Roscrea Road, when Uisce Éireann were fixing a valve at a pump station in Hillside.
Cllr Seán Maher told the meeting that the pipes in Orchard Lane caused big problems for the wider town on four or five occasions over the last year. He called on Uisce Éireann to meet the Councillors and discuss the problem. “Uisce Éireann is a public body and they should act like one,” he pointed out. “They should come into this chamber and discuss a solution with us. Orchard Lane is not a one-off issue. It's a recurring problem which is causing significant disruption each time it happens. The people of Birr are irritated and worried. They want to be reassured by Uisce Éireann that the problem will be solved.”
Cllr Audrey Hennessy-Kennedy said the pipes had burst five times in Orchard Lane over the last 12 months and on three of those occasions a back garden and shed were flooded. “On five occasions a significant number of residents and businesses have been adversely affected.”
Director of Services Ann Dillon told the Councillors that Uisce Éireann will not meet the Councillors in the Birr chamber. “Uisce Éireann have told us that they will meet the Councillors during Uisce Éireann's half-day annual workshop, during which their forthcoming Capital Programme will be discussed.”
Cllr Hughie Egan said the workshop would be “just a talk shop. Nothing will come of it. It's just what they do to cover themselves.”
Cllr Peter Ormond, Cathaoirleach, agreed. “Orchard Lane flooded seven times during 2023. The problem has been going on way too long. A workshop is not the answer. We just want to get the problem fixed. A big part of the town is affected each time. A lot of the people are very frustrated and annoyed. It's only a straightforward piece of pipe and will be easy to replace.”
He said the Councillors received many phone calls from angry residents when the tap water stopped flowing on St Stephen's morning. Uisce Éireann turned up at about 11am and had fixed the issue by about 4pm in the afternoon.
Cllr Hennessy Kennedy said the Councillors should attend the Uisce Éireann workshop.
“I think Uisce Éireann won't listen to us,” said Cllr John Leahy. “They will simply use the excuse that they don't have sufficient funds. They are saying nationally that they are underfunded. They will avoid the hard questions. For that reason we will need our TDs to put the pressure on.”
“The public want answers,” remarked Cllr Seán Maher, “and they deserve to get them. Each time Uisce Éireann rips up the road to fix the pipe we have to pay for the road improvement cost.”
The Director of Services said she will write to Uisce Éireann requesting a meeting.
Cllr Ormond said there will be information days on the Lough Derg Pipe to Dublin in the County Arms on January 23rd from 4pm to 8pm, where the Plans can be viewed. He urged the other councillors to attend.