By Bernie Ní Fhlatharta

HOUSEHOLDERS in the Moycullen area are fed up with the number of problems they are experiencing with their water supply and have called for a public meeting.

During the week up to 100 homes in the greater Moycullen area and Barna either had no public water supply or had very low pressure.
Last Christmas a number of homes were without water for four weeks, though bad weather was blamed for that.

But this time, after experiencing water supply problems on and off over the past decade, local people have declared ‘enough is enough.’
Noel Thomas, who lives in the Tullykyne area, has led a campaign to sort out the area’s water problems once and for all, starting with a public meeting tonight (Thursday) in The Forge at 8.30pm.

He said there were health and safety reasons for being concerned about the water supply, especially where the elderly and young children were involved.

“One woman living near me has gone through three washing machines, two dishwashers and two shower units in the few years she has lived here because the constant low water pressure has damaged her appliances,” he said.

Mr Thomas said that Galway County Council confirmed that they would not have any representative at tonight’s meeting but would meet a group of local people and local councillors next Monday.
Moycullen and parts of Barna is supplied by the Tonabrocky Reservoir, which is within the city boundary and supplies the whole city.

Mr Thomas believes that it would make more sense if Moycullen was served by the supply at Oughterard and that is what he will be campaigning for.

At least four families had to leave their homes and stay with friends and relatives because of hardship.

Local councillor Sean Kyne, who will be attending the public meeting tonight, said that €10,000 had been earlmarked to increase the pressure at Killagoola and that these works would be carried out in a matter of weeks.

In a joint statement issued by both Councils, they apologised for the inconvenience.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.