Wexford County Council and Irish Water has prepared plans to reduce leakages in the Enniscorthy water-main network and to bring about improvements to the quality of the water supply in the town and its environs and Tadhg O’Corcora, Senior Executive Engineer, presented an up-to-date report to members at the monthly meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council.

It is estimated that there are between 75 and 260 existing domestic lead connections that need to be replaced. Consent forms have been sought from owners in O’Neill’s Terrace, St. John’s Terrace, Irish Street, Friary Hill, Lower Church Street, Bellefield Road and St. Aidan’s Villas, the regional contractor is Coffey Northumberland and they will recommence priority lead replacements early in 2020.

Mr. O’Corcora reported; “Significant water savings have been achieved in St. Aidan’s Villas and Bellefield Road and other locations throughout the town with an estimated 10% reduction in water treatment required at Vinegar Hill Water Treatment Plant. Average hourly abstraction from the River Slaney at Clonhaston has reduced from 165 m3/hour to 151 M3/hour.”

There has been a funding application made for a 2.4 metre high fencing around the high level reservoir on Vinegar Hill. Irish Water has been informed of the sensitive nature of the site from archaeological and scenic perspective. The fire service requirements for vehicle access and the provision of a suitable fire hydrant in the case of gorse fires on the hill are also in the plans.