Flood leaves 400 homes without water

At least 400 households in Athy, Co Kildare, have been without water for almost two weeks because of flooding by the river Barrow.

The area committee of Kildare County Council met yesterday to discuss the problem, and a special meeting of Athy Town Council will be held this afternoon. Most of the town is experiencing low pressure, and three primary schools have been closed because of the water supply problem.

A pumping station, which supplies one-third of the town's water supply, is still under water following flooding of the Barrow two weeks ago, according to town councillor Richard Daly (FG).

The problem has reached crisis point, according to councillor Martin Miley (FF), who is particularly concerned for elderly people and young mothers.

He said the problem was symptomatic of rapid housing development in the area over the last five years. The population of the town has increased by almost one-third since 2002.

Athy is due to be connected to the Dublin regional water scheme in the next month. However, at the meeting yesterday acting town manager Gerry Halton said he would try to connect to the new scheme in the next two to 10 days.