Home owners urged to sign up for Murrisk water scheme

PROPERTY owners in the Murrisk, Lecanvey and Kilsallagh areas are being urged to avail of a once in a lifetime opportunity and sign up for the new community water scheme at a reduced rate.

An open day is taking place in Murrisk on December 12 when people who haven't done so yet are being asked to sign up, or face a more expensive connection fee after that date.

Six hundred homes can join the scheme and the more that do so, the less people will have to pay.

The local community contribution towards the €6.25 million project is €851,852.

The exact fee to be paid by each home will be determined by the numbers who join but at current figures that's working out at about €1,400 per connection, and it could drop to €1,200.

Michael McDermott, senior engineer for rural water services with Mayo County Council, told local elected members it is hoped to go to tender in May or June next, with a view to starting construction of the 49 kilometres of pipeline in September.

Councillor Christy Hyland said he hoped everyone will sign up, with Councillor Peter Flynn highlighting how the connection charge will increase after this month's deadline date - to €2,272, so straight away you were saving €1,000 by joining now.

“Sign up now for a once in a lifetime opportunity,” he urged.

As part of the scheme, the size of the trunk main is being upgraded to allow Irish Water serve Louisburgh from Lough Mask in the future.

Discussions have been taking place with Irish Water about upgrades they have to do at the Westport and Louisburgh end. They are in the process of appointing a consultant to look at the design of that.