Mayo public urged to make submissions to National Water Resources Plan

FINE Gael TD Alan Dillon has called on Mayo communities and individuals to consider making submissions to the first National Water Resources Plan.

The plan is being developed by Irish Water and will identify how to provide a safe, sustainable, secure and reliable water supply for now and into the future while safeguarding the environment. The aim of the plan will set out how to balance the supply and demand for drinking water over the short, medium and long term.

Said Deputy Dillon: “Once finalised, the National Water Resources Plan will be a 25-year strategy to ensure the provision of a safe, sustainable, secure and reliable drinking water supply for everyone.

“We have some parts of Mayo still experiencing significant issues with accessing a clean and safe water supply and meeting peak demand. The situation on Achill Island last summer is a clear case in point, and thankfully upgrade works are now taking place there.

“Mayo still has some areas where communities do not have a safe piped water supply and we need to ensure these are recognised in the strategies and plans being developed by Irish Water. We need a comprehensive upgrade or full replacement of Achill Island Water Treatment Plant, as well as community water connections for Sraith an tSeagail/Srahtaggle; Carrowteige, Portacloy and Porturlin; Keenagh and Letterbrick; Downpatrick Head; Murrisk and Lecanvey.”

He added: “I ask anyone with water issues to make a submission to the National Water Resources Plan, the draft of which can be viewed on https://www.water.ie/projects-plans/our-plans/nwrp/. They can make them directly or contact me or my constituency office if they require assistance or guidance.”

The deadline for making submissions is Friday, March 12, and submissions can be made directly via email to nwrp@water.ie.