RESIDENTS in Glenvar might have water to batwhe in by the end of next year, Milford Councillors learned at Monday's Electoral meeting.

Plans for stage two of the Fanad Water supply scheme have been submitted to the Department of Environment for approval and is expected before the end of the year. Mr John Gallagher, Area Manager for Water and Environment said the Council was chasing the Fanad Scheme rigorously and hoped work would get underway on the scheme in 2007. He said the Environment department were well aware of the lack of an adequate water supply in the greater Glenvar area.

Councillor Liam Blaney congratulated Mr Gallagher on work progressed so far and said he was confident work on the scheme would begin next year. He said: "It's too bad in this day and age that people in Glenvar have to go somewhere else to get a shower."

Cllr Ian McGarvey said not only Glenvar had water shortages but also difficulties with supplies to Glenalla, Creevey and Glenkeo. He said the Department must fund the necessities.

"Donegal can no longer be neglected. There are billions in Dublin for tunnels and Luas yet in Donegal we are struggling with health issues. Access to a clean water supply is a necessity and should be funded. It is frustrating to carry out audits on schemes and then address issues on lack of funding," he said.

Cllr Noel McBride said there was a huge problem surrounding funding for capital water schemes. He said it was "heartening" to hear work would begin on the Fanad reservoir and Glenvar scheme next year. "When you have to carry water to have a bath and wash your clothes it is beyond a joke," he added.

He said 13 rural water schemes had been progressed in the last year which would not have been started if the had waited for the funding to come through.

"I made the suggestion that we beg borrow and steal the money necessary. If we had waited the schemes would have gone back to be recosted and recontracted and would still not be started," he added.