I wish to raise the need for the Minister for the Environment and Local Government to approve the connection of Balla water scheme, to be connected to the Lough Mask regional water scheme. Balla is a small village seven miles from Castlebar. The general area comprises approximately 400 houses which require connection to the regional water scheme. A preliminary report prepared by P. J. Tobin and Co., Consulting Engineers, put forward proposals for an extension of the Lough Mask scheme to serve both Balla and Kiltimagh. The new scheme would run from Ballyheane, through Belcarra, to Balla and on to Kiltimagh. The report was submitted to the Department of the Environment for approval in 1990 together with an estimated cost of approximately £5 million. The proposed scheme provided for the construction of a new 400 millimetre diameter trunk main from Ballyheane to Balla and Kiltimagh and the construction of a new 4,500 cubic metre storage reservoir at Craggagh. Provision was also made for a distribution main for Balla and connections to a number of group water schemes in the region to be served.
Since 1990 the water supply in Balla in particular has deteriorated. The Balla well source has been abandoned because of contamination and Balla is now supplied from the Prison group water scheme. The source of this private group water scheme is Carrowmore Lake and no treatment is provided other than chlorination. Water quality is variable and there have been numerous complaints from consumers about taste and odour. Similar problems arise in the nearby Manulla group scheme which is also sourced from Carrowmore Lake. The nearby Belcarra group scheme is supplied from Welshpool Lake and water quality fails to meet the requirements of the drinking water regulations.
Because of the seriousness of the water quality problem generally and particularly in the case of Balla's public supply, it was intended to proceed with the 1990 scheme in two phases with priority being given to the Balla connection. The proposed route of the pipeline was through Belcarra, Manulla and Prison and it could also supply a number of other private group water schemes to the south and east of Balla. The proposed extension to Balla would cost approximately £3 million.
Some of the schemes which could be connected to the Balla scheme are Garnahan, a public supply with poor water quality and supply capacity, Ardboley, a public supply, Ballymackeogh, which has poor water quality and supply capacity which was upgraded, Belcarra, Derryvohy, Keeloges, Manulla, Monard, Pollavaddy, Prison and Rathduff. These are all private water schemes with poor water quality. The Minister is presiding over a situation where more than 400 houses are, by the Department's regulations, seriously in need of attention.
In reply to a recent parliamentary question about the Ardboley group water scheme, the Department of the Environment and Local Government indicated it had requested Mayo County Council by circular letter L9/98 to restructure its priorities and to contact the Department so it could consider it when framing the National Development Plan, 2000-06. The council responded to the Department and gave the Balla scheme a high priority. Two councillors responsible for that area, Councillors Kenny and Burke, also raised this matter with Mayo County Council.
I was disappointed the Minister did not sanction this scheme when he visited Castlebar last Friday. Many promises have been made by enthusiastic candidates. I do not want the Minister to be in breach of the drinking water regulations for the sake of £3 million. I ask him to formally sanction this scheme.