Assumption road residents still in dark about water connection

Assumption Road residents remain in the dark this week as to how their homes will be connected to the new water mains, amid fears that their driveways and back gardens will have to be dug up to do so.

The controversy erupted just prior to the election during pipelaying works along the road in the estate after it emerged that unlike other local areas, the 60-year-old homes have the water connection at the back of the houses meaning that driveways and back gardens could have to be pulled up to connect up to the new pipes.

One resident complained that she had spent €8,000 on brick for her driveway and now she could be left with a decision to let them pull it all up, or go without water. Irish Water and the council has bore the brunt of the anger of residents for the sheer lack of information or consultation as they remain in the dark this week about is going to happen and when.

A recent statement from Irish Water to the Westmeath Independent fails to clear up matters any further either. It simply stated: “Although we cannot confirm that absolutely all of the houses on Assumption Road in Athlone receive their water feed from the back there are some that do. At present the local authority are currently installing a new water main. Those households which are fed from the back will have the option to connect to this new water main and the local authority will contact the residents that can avail of this option. As a result, at present Irish Water will not be installing waters meter on this road. In that respect, an assessed charge will apply.”

Grahame Niven, Senior Executive Engineer for Athlone Water Main Rehabilitation Project stressed previously: “The current pipe laying works on Assumption Road will have no impact on the individual house connections. Connections to the new watermain will be addressed by Irish Water in the future and in full consultation with the householders.”