Developers of multi-unit housing projects in Kenmare must now also supply the water.
Councillors at the recent Municipal District meeting were told that all applicants for such developments will need to provide an alternative water supply to the homes until a new public scheme becomes available in the future.
The utility says a new public water source, as well as a new water treatment plant, is needed to provide water to additional developments in the Kenmare area, due to limits on the area’s existing supply.
Council management says Uisce Éireann is at the early stages of finding a new drinking water source, with groundwater exploration to begin before the end of September.
Following these explorations, which are predicted to finish by the end of December, Uisce Éireann says it will be able to estimate a date for the planned increase in water supply.
The council executive says it may have no option other than to refuse planning permission for multi-residential projects in Kenmare, if the would-be developer cannot arrange an alternative water supply.
The discussion arose after independent councillor Johnny Healy-Rae proposed that Kerry County Council not refuse planning permissions in the MD for this reason, suggesting this was an issue for Uisce Éireann.
Kerry County Council management told Cllr Healy Rae that its Development Management team is required to liaise with Uisce Éireann as the prescribed statutory body in respect of the potable water supply for all new developments.
It stated that the Development Management team is currently working with Uisce Éireann on several live applications and potential future developments.
Cllr Healy-Rae said Uisce Éireann is telling developers to sink wells for their developments, but were not doing the same themselves.
He believes no developer would choose to do this as they would have to become a water company and have to take responsibility for water quality and purity.
