by Adrian Mullan
Following a briefing by The Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Water, the government owned company which will substantially replace Water Service, West Tyrone MLA Barry McElduff, has expressed concerns that a number of local hamlets have still not been provided with the necessary water and sewage infrastructure.
He cited Tattyreagh, Eskra, and Clanabogan, as examples of past water services neglect, and expressed deep concern that talk of passing the cost of providing infrastructure on to potential developers would have the effect of ultimately passing the cost on to home owners who already pay for water services through their rates.
"This is just another form of double taxation, and it is unacceptable". He urged NIW to get on with the job of providing the necessary infrastructure so that other home building projects which have been, effectively, put on hold, can get under way without further delay.
He said that there is an urgent need for new homes in the area, and he urged NIW not to stand in the way of further development.
He said that he will be raising the matter with party colleague Conor Murphy who takes up the post of Minister of Regional Development in May.
Northern Ireland Water has indicated that some £34 million will be available for projects in and around Omagh between now and 2010.
The greatest expenditure will be £6.9 million (at the design phase) on Reservoir rehabilitation for the 'Western' area and £5.4 million in improved security to reservoir sites is at the feasability study stage. Improvements to Lough Braden will cost just over £4 million while water mains replacement pips in the 'Braden zone' will cost £3.2 million, Over £2m will be spent on improvements at Mountfield waste water treatment works.
A whopping £19.8 million has been suggested as the estimate for Omagh zone water mains improvements, however a detailed study is first required and the money has not yet been allocated. A total of £6.8 million could also be available for projects at Roscavey, Newtownsaville, Eskra, Tattyreagh and Clanabogan-lower but at present all of the projects are subject to feasibility studies.
The Chief Executive of NIW, Katherine Bryan, said, "We will continue to provide water and sewerage services which are essential to protect public health and the environment. Although a decision on water charging has been deferred until the full restoration of devolution on May 8, NIW continues to work as normal providing clean safe drinking water and wastewater services. Our focus over the next three years is to invest substantially in our water and waste-water infrastructure to deliver better quality services, whilst, at the same time, managing our business more efficiently and reducing operating costs by £44 million by 2010."
