New sewage scheme to benefit South Roscommon householders

The long-awaited new Creagh sewerage scheme is to get up and running this Monday, January 14. There has been a warm welcome for the news, which means that dozens of homes in the area, previously dependent on septic tanks, can now connect to the mains system. Welcoming the news, Independent Roscommon Cllr Jimmy Kenny said: "It covers a huge area, there are a lot of houses out there. We're encouraging people to sign up to it, it's a great facility to have." He added that Roscommon County Council is to undertake a leaflet drop in the area over the coming days setting out details of scheme and how to connect up. "I understand it will be €1,400 to €1,600 to connect to scheme, which is a lot less than repairs to a septic tank which could run to €7,000 or €8,000," he pointed out. Construction on the sewerage scheme began in the early part of 2012, and is the first of a bundle undertaken in Roscommon to be concluded. Householders will also be responsible for meeting the cost of connecting from their own homes to the new scheme. Meanwhile local TD Denis Naughten pointed out that the people of Creagh in South Roscommon were told in 2004, in advance of the local elections, that the new sewerage scheme had been approved, however it had taken a further nine years for the final part of this process to be completed. "The commencement of the operation of the Creagh scheme will be a huge relief to local householders and to young couples who have already built their homes are waiting for connection to the scheme," he said. It also provides additional serviced industrial land in the Ballinasloe area which could help to attract employers.