The Asylum was built between the town of Castlebar and a river that flowed from Saleen lake to Lough Lannagh. The water levels rose due to the lack of a fall between the two watercourses, and this caused the Asylum lands to flood with the obvious problems for the Asylums water, sewerage,
and disposal system. This was compounded by the sewerage from Spencer Street in the town flowing onto the Asylum grounds at the rear of the now sports track and University sports grounds.
Those problems date as far back as 1885. The Board of Governors commissioned a report from Ueppis, Gloaev & Quiven 16 Molesworth Street Dublin. They reported on the 3 rd. January 1893 recommending the installation of several mixing tanks. This does not happen and it’s not clear from the
records why this was the case. It may well be that modern-day engineers would have a view after consulting and studying that report.
That said, it would appear nothing was done to rectify the sewerage and water problems until a start was made in 1911. By all accounts, it was a difficult and sometimes acrimonious project for all involved.
TJ Ellison the then RMS in his report of 12th May 1911 was very strong in his statement on the inadequacy of the sewerage system. He pointed out that typhoid fever was now prevalent in the hospital and the disease was rife. This added to the overcrowding situation and the deficient water supply was of serious concern to him for the patients and staff. At that time his expectation was
that it would be resolved by the following year.
At that same meeting on the 12th of May 1911, some progress was made with the proposed appointment of a Clerk of Works. His appointment was to be made on a very stringent set of conditions to be the point that it stated that he could be dispensed of by giving him one week’s notice.
Again, progress was made in May 1911with the acceptance of a tender for sewerage disposal and purification works to be carried out by Robert Colhaun in the sum of 2497 – 13 – 7
On the 14th of July 1911, the disease situation apparently was abating with the typhoid subsiding. The legal process to appoint the contractor was moving well to resolve the water and sewerage problems. In addition, on the positive side, it was reported that all the crops were flourishing, and the hay was saved under very favourable conditions.
The sewerage contractor’s foreman was appointed in July 1911 thus moving the sewerage and water treatment works forward.
In and around October 1911 progress seems to slow down to the point that the new plant had not arrived on-site and overcrowding continued to be a severe problem.
On the 19th of January 1912, it was agreed to seek a loan of five hundred pounds be raised to move the project on.
The situation in relation to sewerage disposal deteriorated dramatically and in their report on the 16th of February 1912, the Asylum authorities requested that Castlebar Urban Council take immediate action to stop the discharge of crude sewerage from Spencer Street in the town from flowing into
the low-lying grounds at the rear of the asylum.
Again, on the 15th March 1912, an additional loan of three hundred pounds was applied for.
On the 21st of February, 1913 more hitches arose with the sewerage disposal works suggesting that
the penalty clause in the contract be activated against the contractor.
16th May 1913 report would indicate that a legal wrangle was starting between the contractors’ solicitors and the asylum solicitors. The recommendation was that the asylum solicitors Mr A B Kelly Solicitor to advise would peruse the issues.
The situation got worse, and the penalty clauses were imposed on the contractor with effect from 1
St May 1913. Despite the delays and problems, the project was completed by 1913. The tanks that were installed at that time remained in ruins on the grounds until they were demolished to make way for the ring road around Castlebar.
However, it is fair to say that water and sewerage problems were not totally resolved by the installation of the new sewerage systems. The Inspector of Mental Hospitals frequently alludes to water supply problems in his annual reports throughout the twentieth century. As late as 1951 he commented that steps were taken to provide water supply for the laundry and boilers from a
deep well. Believe it or not, this well still exists under the late paddy Glynn’s office in the now Health Services Executive maintenance department at St Marys Headquarters on the Westport Road Castlebar. Indeed, the problems with the water supply were not fully resolved until late 1970 with the introduction of the Lough mask Water Scheme to Castlebar.