Community in north Mayo urged to sign up for new water connection

A NORTH Mayo community is being urged to buy-in to a new water scheme.

There is concern that the €2.2 million investment in the water connection project for the Carrowteige, Porturlin, Shrataggle and Portacloy areas could be lost if householders don't sign up to join it.

To proceed, the scheme needs local buy-in, and while local elected members acknowledged the cost of over €2,000 involved, they appealed to the community to sign up.

“It is an investment in the future,” Councillor Gerry Coyle told a municipal district meeting.

It would be a disaster for the people if they don't have proper water, he added, but it needs to see a greater uptake.

And he admitted he was afraid that the €2.2 million will go back and there will be no scheme.

The scheme has been long sought for many years, said Councillor Sean Carey, and getting connected now is a 'once in a lifetime opportunity'.

Many people have paid but a big percentage is needed for it to proceed and he appealed to them to contribute, highlighting the benefits for all in the community, from residents to schools and tourism.

Westport Councillor Peter Flynn said the situation had been similar in Murrisk with the recent scheme there, but with a big communications push they got people signed up and he suggested they talk with the committee there.

But, he stressed: “These are once in a lifetime opportunities and there is no second opportunity.”

* Funded under the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme