A local family in Kilbeggan have been left feeling like prisoners in their own home as their house now looks out on a wasteland of stagnant water, human waste and effluent.
The home of the Ireland family in Kilbeggan has become not so much a refuge and place of comfort as an island overlooking a bacteria laden flood plain. When a sewer flooded during heavy rains on Tuesday afternoon of last week, the yard at the rear of their house became flooded and in the days since, the question of how it is to be cleaned has gone unanswered.
Francis Ireland, who is living with his family in the house on the Tullamore Road in Kilbeggan, was caught unawares by the force of the floodwater that rushed into his yard in the afternoon of Tuesday last.
Worse still, in the days since, he is completely bewildered by the difficulties he has encountered in having the waste water cleaned away.
Francis says that he has made several attempts to contact both Irish Water and Westmeath County Council, but a week on from the flood, he is no closer to finding help for his situation.
“Just after two o’clock on Tuesday of last week, there was heavy rain and the main sewer in Kilbeggan was blocked,” explained Mr. Ireland.
“I contacted Westmeath County Council and was told to contact Irish Water, which I did by about 4.30 on Tuesday afternoon,” he said.
Health risks
“A pipe draining company was sent out and they worked until about 10.30 that night but the human waste that flowed out remained after that,” said Francis.
“We have a three-year-old daughter and we can’t let her outside. We are afraid of the possible health risks from having this waste in the yard,” he said.
“The yard is gravel, so it is holding the solid waste. It’s been a week now and it is gone sort of grey in patches and clumps of the stones are stuck together,” said Francis.
“Irish Water say that it is not their policy to leave a premises affected by waste like that and say they have issued a work order. Westmeath County Council say that they are awaiting the work order. I am being bounced between them,” said Francis.
“Last Thursday a man arrived out with a knapsack, disinfecting the yard, he was sent from the Council, but through Irish Water, I understand. He said we would have to leave it for a month to let the sun and rain clean it up,” said Francis.
“He fenced off a portion of the yard but that does not reassure us that it is ok to let the child out,” he said.
Westmeath County Council state that it is the responsibility of Irish Water to respond to flooding issues but that the local authority operates on behalf of the body in investigating issues to determine what action needs to be taken.
