Residents fear damage to pipework from water meters

Residents of two estates off the Headford Road have expressed fears that vibrations from the installation of Irish Water meters could cause serious damage to existing pipes – because their homes are built on a swamp.

And two local councillors have claimed that sub-contractors arrived at Sandyvale Lawn and Suan last week to install meters – unaware of the area’s wetland nature or that old pipes and pumps had to be replaced ten years ago because they were sinking into the ground.

While Irish Water were aware of the situation in the area, Sinn Féin’s Mairéad Farrell claims the information was not passed on to meter installers.

Work has since stopped, and locals have now demanded a full report on the estates’ infrastructure and ground conditions.

Cllr Farrell said she contacted Irish Water on behalf of residents and informed them drilling had commenced – she explained the wetland foundation is unstable and that pipes are ‘scribbled’ across the estates.

“The estates were built on wetlands and therefore have special piping crisscrossing the area. Last week, I contacted Irish Water who told me that they were aware of this fact and had received a report detailing this from Galway City Council.

“However, I was distressed to hear that Sandyvale residents approached the sub-contractors installing the water meters and they were oblivious of this important information. The failure of Irish Water to inform its sub-contractors is a sign of its total incompetence.”

Meanwhile, local independent councillor Mike Cubbard expressed fears that vibrations caused by drilling could have adverse effects on pipes and impact negatively on the lives of residents.

“This is not about people paying or not paying their Irish Water bill. This is a health and safety issue. Residents were told that any major drilling in the area could have an effect on pipes and cause further damage, as they were effectively built on a swamp,” he said.