Pilot project to tackle flood crisis

A pilot scheme that could potentially provide a solution to the flooding problems of South Galway has been described this week as ‘in process’ – on the eve of Friday’s General Election.

The plan being proposed would effectively mean installing pipework along the local roads facilitated by pumping stations as required.

Firstly, water would be brought from Ballyboy and Labane to Ardrahan and from there the water would be brought to the sea at Kinvara.

The estimated cost of the project is €5.75m and the total distance involved in 13.7km; there would be five pumping stations required along the 600 mm pipe which would have an outfall of 42 cubic metres per minute.

Senator Lorraine Higgins this week announced that the plans ‘are now going into a process and there is finally light at the end of the tunnel for the people affected’.

“A couple of weeks ago, at my request, a group of area representatives met with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Alan Kelly, where solutions were discussed and in particular a pilot scheme which would help relieve the terrible flooding endured by the people in South Galway,” she said.

“The outcome of discussions with the Minister and the County Council are such that the proposal would receive further consideration in developing an overall solution and a pilot scheme is a real possibility in order to arrive at a long term solution,” she added.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.