Key facts
- Opposition
- Kenmare MD councillors strongly oppose any proposal to take water from the River Roughty.
- Feasibility studies
- Rumours that Uisce Éireann is carrying out feasibility studies along the Roughty River, including boreholes and water surveys.
- Previous project
- The €3.1 million River Sheen project was abandoned in 2014 after a court ruling.
- Housing development
- An 85-home development in Kenmare has planning permission but depends on Uisce Éireann providing a water connection.
- Meeting request
- Councillors seek an urgent meeting with Uisce Éireann in September.
- Bonane outages
- Concerns raised about ongoing water outages in the Bonane area and calls for an update on group water schemes.
Background
Councillors in Kenmare Municipal District have voiced strong opposition to any proposal to take water from the River Roughty. The concerns were raised during a meeting where representatives discussed the town's long-term water supply options.
Councillor Dan McCarthy said there are 'very strong rumours' that Uisce Éireann is carrying out feasibility studies along the Roughty River, including boreholes and water surveys. He questioned whether public money should be spent on a project he believes is unlikely to succeed, stating that 'taking the water out of the Roughty River … won't be allowed to happen.'
The opposition follows the abandonment of a previous plan to source water from the River Sheen. Kerry County Council's proposal was ultimately dropped in 2014 after a court ruling against it, a project that Councillor Johnny Healy-Rae described as a failed €3.1 million venture.
Current situation
Councillor Teddy O'Sullivan Casey believes Uisce Éireann should instead focus on getting water from nearby lakes. Councillor Healy-Rae argued that pursuing the Roughty River idea would bring years of environmental and planning challenges, adding that if Uisce Éireann 'decided tomorrow morning that this is the way [they're] going, I would safely bet that there wouldn't be a drop extracted out of it in 15 years from today.'
Members expressed frustration over the lack of progress in securing a long-term water supply for the town, which they say is preventing the town's growth. Councillor Healy-Rae referred to the recently approved 85-home development in Kenmare, noting that while planning permission has been granted by An Coimisiún Pleanála, the development still depends on Uisce Éireann providing a water connection.
He warned that the money the developer has invested in getting planning permission might all be lost if Uisce Éireann doesn't provide a connection. He also raised concerns that uncertainty over water infrastructure is threatening future investment, saying more houses must be built to keep workers and families in the town, but they aren't able to build because there is no water in the pipes.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| River Sheen project cost | €3.1 million |
| Year River Sheen project abandoned | 2014 |
| Approved homes in Kenmare development | 85 |
Impacts
The councillors' opposition could affect Uisce Éireann's planning for the Kenmare water supply. If the utility proceeds with the Roughty River proposal, it may face prolonged environmental and planning challenges, potentially delaying any new water source for years.
The lack of a secure water supply is already impacting development in Kenmare. The approved 85-home development cannot proceed without a water connection from Uisce Éireann, putting the developer's investment at risk and limiting the town's ability to grow.
Residents in the Bonane area are also affected by ongoing water outages. Councillors Johnny Healy-Rae and Teddy O'Sullivan-Casey raised concerns about these outages and called for an update on local group water schemes, including the Bonane scheme.
Future outlook
Scenario analysis: The possibilities below are not certain predictions.
Councillors are seeking an urgent meeting with Uisce Éireann in September and have asked council management to write to the utility expressing their strong opposition to any proposal to draw off water from the Roughty River. If the meeting takes place, it could clarify the utility's intentions and potentially lead to a reconsideration of the proposal.
If Uisce Éireann continues to pursue the Roughty River option despite opposition, the project could face significant delays due to environmental and planning challenges, as Councillor Healy-Rae predicted. In that case, Kenmare's water supply issues may persist for many years.
Alternatively, if Uisce Éireann shifts focus to nearby lakes as suggested by Councillor O'Sullivan Casey, a more viable solution might emerge. However, the timeline for any new water source remains unclear, and the town's growth may continue to be constrained until a reliable supply is secured.
Source: radiokerry.ie
