400 households could face water supply disruption in Leitrim

A local Group Water Scheme (GWS) is on the brink of collapse, the Leitrim Observer was informed this week, with the group saying that they have been waiting over two years to be taken in charge by Uisce Éireann.

The Observer was told that Glenboy/Glenfarne GWS in North Leitrim is soon to be out of funds and will shortly cease to operate meaning significant disruption to the water supply of nearly 400 households and 40 non-domestic connections – mainly farmers and businesses.

Jimmy McMorrow, secretary of the group explained that up until 2018, Glenboy/Glenfarne like all publicly sourced group water schemes had two main sources of income which were an annual fixed charge on all connections to the scheme (€150 per connection per year) and the local authority's annual subsidy to group water schemes which is up to a maximum of €75 per household.

In a statement, the group said that for Glenboy/Glenfarne, this funding arrangement meant the scheme generated sufficient income to pay its way comfortably while building a reserve for significant and sometimes unexpected expenditure like installation of new water mains, repair of major leaks, pump replacement, etc.

However, they went on to say that in January 2018 this all changed and the “Government legislated for ‘free water’ for all households.”

The statement noted as of 1 January 2018, in order to be eligible for the local authority GWS subsidy, schemes could not charge households a fixed charge for water supply. In compensation for this loss of income, the annual subsidy per household connection was increased from €75 to €115.

This change was fatal to the future viability of Glenboy/Glenfarne GWS, they said, which was down €110 per household with the total figure coming to over €40,000.

The Management Committee of Glenboy/Glenfarne GWS understood that the scheme was no longer viable and would run out of funds within two to three years. In March, members unanimously agreed with the proposal of the Management Committee to transfer the scheme to Uisce Éireann.

Wayleaves had to be signed by landowners where the scheme's water mains crossed private property and this process took two years to complete.

In April 2021, Leitrim County Council formally lodged the scheme’s application to be taken in charge by Uisce Éireann however this never happened.

The statement continues that Cllr Sean McDermott raised the issue and was advised by Uisce Éireann that it does not have “the resources or staff to take this or any other group water scheme in charge in the foreseeable future.”

The statement concluded by saying that “members of Glenboy/Glenfarne Group Water Scheme are as entitled as all other law-abiding and tax-paying citizens to a safe, reliable and free mains water supply.

“Why is such an essential service being put in serious danger by the failure of Uisce Éireann to comply with its obligations and take the scheme in charge?”