Yes, a rant is coming up.
We have our own well. We paid dearly to have the water diviner come and identify the best spot to dig the well. We paid for the people to come drill many many feet down and connect the pumping system. We installed the water filtration system. We have lived happily with our lovely fresh water for 12 years.
Bath time
Then the filtration system packed up. It seems that most things these days only have a life span of 10 years! Lots of ‘stuff’ has needed replacing this year.
I digress.
Back to the water system….
Did you know there is a grant of 75% available to install/upgrade water filtration systems?
We did not know this, but discovered this gem of information when talking to one company. Happy days.
We downloaded the relevant application form for Tipperary, and started going through the various processes. Tedious but not onerous.
- get water tested…. tick
- complete application form ….. tick
- get quotes from 3 different companies ….. tick
- get water tested again after fitting of new system …..
We were told that there can be a 6 week delay in getting approval, but if you hand deliver your application it can be processed quicker.
So yesterday morning Alfie drove to Nenagh, handed over the documentation. Person on counter said that we should get immediate approval, but she’d have colleague call us to confirm.
And here it is folks…..
The colleague called and said we don’t qualify for the grant.
Why?
We are too close to the road, and should connect up to mains water!
Now here’s the thing…. our neighbours are often on ‘boil’ notices for their water. When this happens where do they go for their water????
They come here for our well water, and are most welcome to. We have an outside tap and they help themselves.
So now the County Council wants us to use mains water? And, by the way, the cost (to us) would be treble what a water filtration system will cost us.
As I say heaven help us! We are willing to look after and maintain our own water system.
And then today it is announced that the government is giving Irish Water millions to upgrade/repair/clean the Irish water supply system which is in a disgraceful state.
There is so much more that could be said …
but for now rant over.
A Year In Redwood 
Surely In the land of Michael Lowrey there is some one in the council needs a new fridge and will rubber stamp the grant !!!!!
You’d like to think so… but I was talking to another Tipp farmer today who was having grief from Dept. of Ag about using rainwater to feed her animals! The madness continues!
Madness is right !
Oh Jaysus. We got that grant for our filtration system. Luckily we are miles from the mains system so they will never connect us Thank God as all the local people give out yarns about the state of the water.
All our callers always comment on how lovely our water is. Hopefully you won’t have to connect to the mains
Isn’t it totally crazy Fiona? We are just going to go get the filtration system ourselves… I don’t think they can force us to join the mains scheme? And anyway that would be way too expensive… could not afford it!
Like you our neighbours love our water and call in deliberately to have tea.. made with proper water and real tea!
M
[…] We are so very glad we stuck with the plan and maintained our own well. […]