'Unacceptable': Offaly TD hits out at ongoing Birr water supply disruption

'Anger and frustration' is gripping the people of Birr in the wake of its continuing water supply disruption, according to Offaly TD Deputy John Clendennen.

On Sunday, Uisce Éireann said it is working to restore normal water supply to customers served by the Birr Public Water Supply Scheme following a mechanical issue at Birr Water Treatment Plant.

The fault has been repaired, Uisce Éireann said, but it added that local residents may experience disruption to their supply and low pressure as the reservoir level recovers and the network refills.

In response, Deputy Clendennen said: “I spoke with Uisce Éireann this morning (Tuesday) and was informed that further maintenance works are likely to take place in Birr tomorrow.

“Over recent days, weeks and months, countless residents have contacted me to express their anger and frustration at the ongoing disruption to their water supply. It is simply unacceptable that €10m has been invested in a water treatment plant, yet residents continue to experience problems on what has become an almost monthly basis. People in Birr and the surrounding areas deserve a reliable and consistent water supply. They should not have to continually worry about further outages and disruption.”

Deputy Clendennen said he will continue to raise the issue directly with Uisce Éireann and “demand a clear, credible plan to resolve these recurring problems once and for all”.

“We need answers, we need accountability, and most importantly, we need a lasting solution,” he said.

In its statement on the matter, issued last Sunday, James Joyce, of Uisce Éireann, said: “We understand the inconvenience of an unplanned outage, and we thank customers for their support while the essential repair work was carried out and the reservoir recharges.”

The statement added that water supply was expected to be returned to affected areas by 7am on Monday. “However,” the statement read: “It may take longer for normal supply to be restored to customers at the end of the network or on higher ground as the system recharges.”