Public consultation launched for major water supply upgrade in North Mayo and South Sligo
Public consultation has opened on plans for a major upgrade to the Ballina and Lough Talt water supply, a project set to deliver significant long-term benefits for communities across North Mayo and South Sligo.
The non-statutory consultation has commenced today, Tuesday, March 24, and will run until Monday, April 20, with members of the public invited to have their say on the proposed works.
The project, led by Uisce Éireann, will deliver a significant investment aimed at enhancing the resilience of the water network in Ballina and surrounding areas, while also securing a sustainable water source for the Lough Talt Water Supply Scheme.
Overall, the project will see an upgrade of water infrastructure in the Ballina and Lough Talt supply areas, with the aim of delivering a sustainable, long-term supply for the Lough Talt area by extending the Ballina network.
A series of key developments are proposed, including an upgraded raw water intake at Lough Conn and increased treatment capacity at the Lisglennon Water Treatment Plant. Additional treated water storage is also planned for Lisglennon, Bonniconlon and Lough Talt.
These upgrades aim to increase capacity in the supply network and improve the future sustainability of the water supply.
Large parts of Ballina Town are currently served by a critical ageing trunk main, which will be replaced with a new trunk main connecting Lisglennon to Ballina and onto Bonniconlon and Lough Talt, laid along with additional network storage at Bonniconlon and Lough Talt.
The project will also see the rationalisation of the Lough Talt Water Treatment Plant, bringing an end to water abstraction from Lough Talt. This is expected to restore natural lake levels and ensure ecological benefits for local habitats and wildlife.
Members of the public are being encouraged to take part in the consultation process. An information event will be held on Wednesday, April 25, at the Kennedy Glasgow House on Quay Road, Ballina, from 4pm to 8pm, where the project team will be on hand to answer any questions.
Speaking about the project, Programme Manager John McElwaine said the team is looking forward to engaging with local communities.
“We have been progressing the development of this vital upgrade for North Mayo and South Sligo for some time, and we’re delighted to now begin the consultation phase. We’re looking forward to discussing the project further with the local communities in the coming weeks.”
Further details of the project, including how to participate in the consultation and the upcoming public information event, are available on the Uisce Éireann website.
This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.