Money down the drain? €1.2m spent on transporting water due to ‘drought conditions’ in Limerick

UISCE Eireann has spent €1.2m and counting since 2023 on transporting water from Limerick city to Oola “in order to maintain a reliable and adequate supply”, a Freedom of Information (FOI) request has revealed.

A spokesperson for the national water utility said Uisce Éireann is aware of and regrets the disruptions and low pressure affecting some customers on the Oola public water supply.

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“As parts of east Limerick are prone to drought conditions, it is not possible to source water from a closer location. The requirement for tankering has been under constant review and has only been undertaken when necessary to meet customer demand and our service obligations as set by the Commissioner for Regulation of Utilities,” said a spokesperson. The tankered water is treated at Clareville Water Treatment Plant.

The spend of €1,224,311 on moving water to Oola has come to light thanks to local resident David Condon who sent in the FOI request.

It reveals that 213,252 was paid to a private company in 2023, €298,284 in 2024 and €712,775 in 2025 (approximately €200,000 of the 2025 spend incurred in 2024 but was paid in 2025).

Mr Condon said he requested the FOI because the Oola reservoir is on his usual walking route and he couldn't help but notice water trucks pulled up there very regularly over the last couple of years. 

“Initially, I assumed they were taking water for use elsewhere until I realised they were actually delivering enormous volumes of water to what was now, as it transpired, an insufficient reservoir for the area. 

“I assumed that the deliveries were costing a lot of money, as they appeared to be several times a week, if not more. It has been going on so long, I just thought that I want to know how much public money is being spent here on this stop-gap solution with no end in sight,” said Mr Condon.

When the FOI came back, he said he did not expect the spend, to date, to be in excess of €1.2 million. 

“This is a case in point of zero future planning on behalf of the utility to invest in capital works as the population increased and building expanded in the region over the last decade. 

“As an extremely expensive stop-gap, the private company has been hauling water tank trucks, at least once a day, from A to B, at enormous expense to the taxpayer, for the last three years. 

“Can we imagine a worse waste of public money for something which solid planning, future proofing and capital investment should have been able to avoid?” said Mr Condon, who described it as “a staggering waste of money”.

He asks what works could have been done for Oola's water infrastructure with that same €1.2 million.

The Leader contacted Uisce Éireann who said crews have been working diligently to implement solutions to improve the water supply in this area.

A spokesperson said measures include the installation of an over ground pipe to alleviate water supply conditions which has been in operation since September 2025 to support properties at the end of the network. 

“It is hoped that this is providing a noticeable improvement to customers along the network while longer-term works are ongoing.

“Works are underway to provide additional supply to the existing Oola water supply source. Drilling for a new borehole in Oola has commenced to augment the current supply. This borehole is estimated to start augmenting supply in H1 2026 (first half of next year). It is expected that this will significantly improve the level of service to customers along the supply,” said the spokesperson.

Other works being progressed to improve the water supply to the local community includes an additional ground water borehole in the Carrigmore area. 

“This requires the drilling of an exploratory trial well to determine if water can be found. If successful, the conversion of this trial well to a full production well will require planning permission, as well as a treatment plant and distribution network upgrade to bring water into supply. 

“The current estimates for completion are Q4 2027 (last three months of 2027). As Carrigmore is currently supplied from the Oola scheme, should this well be successful, it will further improve the level of service to Uisce Éireann customers in Oola,” said the spokesperson.