Amenity sites free of charge

By Sean O’Riordan

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

CORK County Council is opening up its civic amenity sites to accept flood damaged material free of charge.

The council’s director of services Sharon Corcoran said council workers could organise transportation of damaged goods to civic amenity sites if required.

A list of all sites is available on the waste management section of the council’s website at www.corkcoco.ie.

Meanwhile council engineers are to carry out safety audits on bridges and roads in flood-damaged areas.

County manager Martin Riordan said the audits on the bridges and roads would be carried out as quickly as possible and the council was confident its supply of water to households would remain intact.

There are four areas in Co Cork which have suffered water supply problems. Boil water notices have been placed on the supplies to Clondrohid, Ballineen and Inchigeela.

Officials said bacteriological tests were being carried out on these supplies and it was hoped to have them back to normal as quickly as possible.

The supply to Innishannon has also been affected, but not by the flooding.

Routine tests carried out last week showed minor traces of cryptosporidium in the supply and it is still being tested.

The county library, which was due to open last Friday, has been damaged and officials are trying to save archives which were stored in the basement.

County manager Martin Riordan said flooding has been unprecedented. He praised the tremendous work undertaken by council employees.

"It’s important for people to know if they have a water supply they will continue to have it. The supply is secure and safe. It’s important people don’t start drawing down water as we want to keep it for the city," said Mr Riordan.

This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Wednesday, November 25, 2009