Ongoing sewerage issues at Moate housing estate

Ongoing sewerage issues affecting a portion of houses at St Patrick's Crescent in Moate must be addressed by the Athlone-Moate Municipal District (AMMD), "alongside Uisce Éireann", a Ballymore councillor has said.

Addressing the members of AMMD, Cllr Vinny McCormack queried the role Uisce Éireann was playing "in terms of the sewerage issues impacting these properties".

"These houses were originally built by Westmeath County Council and local authority tenants were housed in this estate. As we carried out the work on these houses in the first instance, it perhaps falls on us to address this ongoing sewerage issue," Cllr McCormack said.

He said the issue primarily impacts the residents living in house numbers six to 16, with those living there often leaving their homes "due to the pungent smell".

"Better ventilation measures need to be fitted on the sewerage lines running by these particular homes. It is a piece of work which we as a council have never undertaken since the properties were built and it's essential that we look after the residents in this instance," Cllr McCormack said.

The councillor called on the Municipal District executive to consult with Uisce Éireann and the local authority's consultant engineer to "resolve the issue".

Cllr Tom Farrell said it was "no fault of the owners" that they had to contend with the ongoing sewerage issue, calling for the lines to be replaced "as a matter of urgency".

His thoughts were echoed by Cllr Johnny Penrose who said that the residents were becoming "more and more frustrated" with the reoccurring sewerage incidents.

Municipal District Mayor, Cllr Liam McDaniel said the council "had a responsibility" to engage and solve the issue with the residents.

"Although many of the residents saved their money and eventually bought their properties from the Council, it is simply not good enough for our local authority to say, 'it's no longer our problem'," Cllr McDaniel added.

Responding, District Manager, Jackie Finney said the sewerage issue merited further investigation and confirmed to the members that the Municipal District would "liaise with Uisce Éireann" regarding the obgoing situation.

She also called on affected residents to contact Uisce Éireann directly to log complaints and seek updates "should such issues arise in the future".