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Uisce Éireann progressing plans for new reservoir to ensure a more reliable water supply for Lismore

Uisce Éireann continues to make progress in addressing water supply challenges for the town of Lismore. The community have been updated on plans to build a new reservoir as well as progress in reducing leakage across the town. This is all part of Uisce Éireann’s long-term plans to address challenges and ensure a more reliable and resilient water supply for Lismore homes and businesses.

Jim Fitzgerald, Regional Operations Senior Manager for Water at Uisce Éireann, explained, “We will be building a new reservoir which will provide backup water storage to the town. Additional land is required to build a new treated water storage reservoir, which we are progressing. Specialised leakage crews have been dispatched to Lismore to support local crews and intensify efforts to find and fix leaks. Reducing leakage and fixing issues identified in the pipe network will benefit everyone through increased water pressure. Steady progress has been made to fix leaks, with the rate already decreased from 46% to 32% since January. 15 leaks have been identified on the public network and repaired. There have also been 17 leaks identified on private properties where we have been engaging directly with landowners to ensure repairs are completed. Further investigation works are scheduled in the coming weeks.”.

Uisce Éireann welcomed the opportunity to meet with the local community and stakeholders in Lismore this week at a briefing chaired by Minister for State at the Department of Housing and Local Government and Heritage, John Cummins. It was a valuable opportunity to discuss the challenges and reaffirm our commitment to investing in the upgrade of water infrastructure, ensuring a more reliable water supply for the community.

Jim Fitzgerald, who met with the local community, continued, “We accept that operational issues at the water treatment plant and challenges on the network have caused ongoing disruption for the local community. Providing a robust, resilient, and safe water supply to the local community of Lismore remains a top priority for Uisce Éireann. We ask for continued patience and support while resolving the issues”.

Uisce Éireann remains committed to keeping the local community and stakeholders informed as a programme of work continues.

Uisce Éireann has launched a free text service, providing real-time updates for local issues. Customers can sign up with their Eircode and mobile number at www.water.ie

Uisce Éireann is responsible for delivering public drinking water and wastewater services for the people of Ireland. We are committed to enabling communities to thrive by continuously upgrading and developing critical infrastructure to support sustainable growth and development, providing safe drinking water, and enhancing the environment.

Participate in Ongoing Public Consultations

Waterford City & County Council is actively seeking community input on several projects that will influence the development and enhancement of our region. Your insights are needed to ensure that these initiatives align with the needs and aspirations of our community.

 

Current Open Consultations:

  1. Scoil Mhuire NS, Butlerstown: Active Travel Safe Routes to School Scheme: Aimed at improving safe travel routes for students, this initiative seeks to promote active commuting. Feedback is welcomed until 5pm, today, April 2, 2025.
  2. Residential Development at Old Parish / An Sean Phobal, Dungarvan: This proposal focuses on new housing developments aimed at enhancing community living in Dungarvan. The consultation is open until May 7, 2025.
  3. Williamstown Road Active Travel Scheme: This scheme proposes enhancements to facilitate active travel along Williamstown Road. The consultation period ends on April 16, 2025.
  4. Inclusive Play Space at Abbeyside, Dungarvan: The council plans to develop an inclusive play area to cater to children of all abilities. Submissions are open until May 7, 2025.
  5. Draft Litter Management Plan 2025–2028: This plan outlines strategies for maintaining cleanliness and managing litter across Waterford. Public input is sought until April 30, 2025.
  6. Extension/Redevelopment of Existing Playground at the Prom, Tramore: Plans are underway to enhance the playground facilities at Tramore Promenade. The consultation will run until May 14, 2025.

Why Your Participation Matters:

Public consultations are a cornerstone of democratic engagement, ensuring that community members have a direct influence on local developments. Your feedback assists the council in making informed decisions that genuinely reflect the community’s wishes.

 

How to Give Your Opinion:

To participate, visit the Waterford City & County Council’s consultation portal. Here, you can access detailed information about each project and submit your observations or suggestions.

Scoláireachtaí Gaeltachta – Gaeltacht Scholarships 2025

Scholarships 2025

Is féidir iarratas a chur isteach anois do Scoláireachtaí Gaeltachta Chomhairle Cathrach & Contae Phort Láirge do Shamhraidh 2025. Is féidir an fhoirm iarratais a fháil ag https://bit.ly/Scoláireachtaí-Gaeltachta-2025.

Applications are now invited for Waterford City & County Council’s Gaeltacht Scholarships for Summer 2025. You can access the application form at https://bit.ly/Scoláireachtaí-Gaeltachta-2025.

More children starting the day active following improvement works at two Waterford national schools

More children are now walking and cycling to two national schools in Waterford City following significant improvements made through the Active Travel Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programme.

The SRTS programme aims to promote walking and cycling as safe, sustainable travel options for schoolgoers and has been highly successful in encouraging healthier lifestyles among pupils at St Saviour’s National School in Ballybeg and Waterford Educate Together National School in Carrickphierish.

At the official launch of the schemes on Friday 28th March 2025, Mayor of Waterford City and County Cllr. Jason Murphy commented: “It’s truly wonderful to see so many children opting to walk and cycle to school following these improvements.”

The SRTS programme, an initiative of the Department of Transport and supported by the Department of Education, is operated by An Taisce in partnership with the National Transport Authority (NTA) and the Active Travel Department in Waterford City and County Council at a local level.

Michael Murphy, Active Travel Senior Engineer, Waterford City and County Council, emphasised the importance of creating safe and welcoming spaces around schools. “When we improve the environment around schools, it naturally encourages children to walk and cycle, fostering healthier habits and safer communities,” Mr. Murphy said.

Patrick Pender, Principal at Waterford Educate Together National School, expressed his strong support for the initiative, emphasising its success in improving safety outside the school. “The reduction in cars around our school, combined with safer road crossings and junction improvements, has made a noticeable difference in creating a safer and more accessible environment for our pupils and their families. These changes are a welcome step towards making active travel a more viable and attractive option for children, encouraging more of them to walk, cycle or scoot to school.

“As these improvements take effect, we are excited to see initiatives such as the Walking Bus getting underway. This provides children with a structured and safe way to walk to school, fostering independence, promoting a healthier lifestyle, and strengthening the sense of community among those who travel together. Supporting active travel is a priority for us, and we look forward to building on this progress in the months ahead,” Mr Pender added.

Ciara Kavanagh, Principal at St Saviour’s National School, said the improvements have had a positive impact on the community. “While many of our pupils from the Ballybeg area have always walked to school, the new safety measures have made it safer and more accessible for everyone. We’ve noticed more children walking and cycling, which means they’re getting active, socialising before classes, and starting the day healthier and more energised,” Ms. Kavanagh said.

Finola O’Driscoll, Senior Programme Manager for Active Travel Investment in the NTA, said the NTA looks forward to empowering more Waterford communities in their active travel journeys. “Many of the children who attend these schools live in the immediate area and will now have a safer and more positive front of school experience due to reduced traffic congestion. Credit to those at St Saviour’s National School in Ballybeg and Waterford Educate Together National School in Carrickphierish for recognising the importance of ensuring the safety of the children coming to and from school,” Ms O’Driscoll added.

Author Martina Devlin enthrals at Central Library

Author Martina Devlin joined Waterford City and County Librarian Mary Conway for the first Writers at Waterford Libraries event of 2025 in Central Library on March 29th to discuss her latest book Charlotte and writing life.

Martina Devlin is an author and newspaper columnist. She has written nine novels, two non-fiction books, two plays and a collection of short stories. Her latest novel, Charlotte, explores Charlotte Brontë’s Irish connections. Other novels include Edith about the Irish R.M. co-author Edith Somerville; and The House Where It Happened about a mass witchcraft trial in Co Antrim in 1711, which led to a plaque being erected to commemorate those convicted following a campaign she initiated.

Her work has won many prizes including the Royal Society of Literature’s V.S. Pritchett Prize and a Hennessy Literary Award, and she has been shortlisted three times for the Irish Book Awards. Martina writes a weekly current affairs column for the Irish Independent, and her journalism has also won acclaim including being named National Newspapers of Ireland commentator of the year, among other journalism prizes. She holds a PhD in literary practice from Trinity College Dublin and is currently a judge on the Dublin Literary Award.

Martina enthralled the audience of almost 80 people in Central Library with the stories of her research into Charlotte Bronte and the background to the book. She gave a very interesting insight into the life of Charlotte and her Irish husband Arthur Bell Nicols as well as recounting detail of the second marriage of Arthur to his cousin Mary Bell.

Mary Conway, Waterford City and County Librarian said, “It was an absolute pleasure to engage Martina Devlin in conversation about her work and it was clear to me how interested the audience were by their complete attention throughout the whole event.”