Limerick child’s hair breaks after showering due to the quality of water

A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD’S hair breaks from showering in an area with a boil water notice area, heard a municipal district meeting.

Cllr Tommy O’Sullivan put down a motion at the most recent meeting of the Cappamore-Kilmallock electoral area that the council correspond with Uisce Eireann to seek an update on the status of the water scheme takeover in Kilglass, close to Kilbehenny and Mitchelstown. 

The councillor also asked about the current status of the boil water notice in place.

Cllr O’Sullivan then read out an email he had received from a local resident.

“We have lived here now for over 11 years, and in all this time there has been a boil water notice for the scheme. 

“I believe it is the longest boil water notice in the country. We have been promised now for years that we will be connected to Irish Water but this has not happened.

“We have had to put a UV filter on our water to drink it safely for our family and install filters in the showers. Even along with these measures the water is horrible to shower in and causes damage to my hair and my seven-year-old's hair which breaks constantly for using it,” read out Cllr O’Sullivan.

The author of the email concluded by saying, “I  look forward to hearing from you and hopefully you might be able to get some info on the issues that are of great concern to me and my family”.

Cllr O’Sullivan said he had spoken to the person who sent him on the letter.

“It is a major issue. It is going on 11 years,” said the Kilfinane-based councillor.

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A response to the council’s  request for an update on the status of the water scheme takeover in Kilglass, and  current status of the boil water notice in place, was circulated to elected members.

An Uisce Éireann representative said schemes will only be taken over when fit for purpose and free from significant defects that would impact on customer service, water quality or asset longevity.

“The boil water notice in place for the Kilglass scheme is a key issue that needs to be addressed prior to the scheme being taken in charge.

“The plan is to connect this supply to the Mitchelstown supply. Design for the connection is complete and the tendering process is currently underway. 

“A main contractor is expected to be appointed within six weeks with works to be completed by the end of the year, and the boil water notice is subsequently expected to be lifted. 

“Following this, we expect the taken in charge process to progress,” said Uisce Éireann.