‘Vital’ to keep gullies clean across Waterford amid threat of ‘El Nino’ storms
The issue was raised by Cllr Jim Griffin at a recent meeting of Waterford City and County Council
It is “vital” to keep gullies across Waterford clean amid the threat of ‘El Nino’ storms in the coming months, a council meeting has heard.
The issue was raised by Sinn Féin councillor Jim Griffin at the October plenary meeting of Waterford City and County Council.
Cllr Griffin said: “Just on the gullies and the gully machine, the trees got a bit of a reprieve because the rains came after the drought we had all summer.
“It looks like the leaves are hanging in for a couple of more weeks this time around.
“This could have a detrimental effect on the gullies so I would just ask if we could get the gullies cleared before we have this rain that’s supposed to be forecast with the El Nino weather forecast that’s coming.”
In response, Director of Services Gabriel Hynes agreed that it was important to make sure gullies are kept clean.
Mr Hynes said: “In relation to gullies, again, it’s the time of the year where leaves are falling so keeping the gullies clean is vital as you said.
“We have a programme in place for that. We have a specific machine operating here in the city and outside of that in Dungarvan as well, outside the local areas then we’ve other crews doing that.
“Just be conscious that these are there but before a severe weather event, you’re going to get wind, so you could have the gully cleaned the week before.
“This time of the year, years are falling, so it could be blocked in a short space of time.”
He concluded by saying that the cleaning of gullies across Waterford is an ongoing process.