Incident fails to mar relief effort as 18,000 still without water

THE flood crisis, which has left 18,000 households without water in Cork, has brought out the best and the worst in people.

In one isolated incident, vandals destroyed a special water tank set up to help flood stricken householders on the city’s northside.

Authorities condemned those responsible for trying to thwart the civic emergency response.

Some 16,000 households on the northside of Cork and 2,000 on the southside are still without a water supply five days after the devastating flood swamped the city’s main water treatment plant at the Lee Road.

Up to 10 fresh drinking water supply points and 40 sanitary water supply points have been set up across the city to supply people with water in the affected areas.

The vandals attacked a 30-litre plastic tank that was supplying water for sanitary purposes at the Water Tower in Knocknaheeny area over the weekend. They damaged its tap, rendering it useless.

A spokesman for City Hall said: “It is very disappointed that at a time when the people of Cork are being so understanding and civic minded that an incident like this should occur. But it is important to point out that the other 39 tanks were not affected.”

Despite this incident, people across the city rallied to help their neighbours.

Tom Singleton, who runs SuperValu in Hollyhill, began delivering 20,000 bottles of free drinking water to homes in his area.

Up to 10,000 homes in Hollyhill, Knocknaheeny, Gurranabraher, Churchfield and Cathedral Road will get four litres of free water.

Mr Singleton arranged the first deliveries yesterday and his three vans will be on the road again this morning. “People have been very supportive to me over the last three years and now it’s time to give something back.”

Father of five, Roy Prendergast, from Shanakiel, was filling a 20 litre container from a water tanker in the rain outside. “What can we do? We just have to get on with it,” he said.

Another tanker arrived at St Mary’s Senior Citizens Club nearby and arrangements are being made to increase the number of meals on wheels deliveries, Cllr Tony Fitzgerald said.

Superintendent Con Cadogan said the Gurranabraher garda water run, which is working of a database of elderly and vulnerable, is continuing.

“I would urge anyone who is in difficulty, and who we have not yet contacted us, to pick up the phone.

“People should not be embarrassed, or too proud, to contact us. I would also urged neighbours who may have concerns about people in their locality to contact us,” he added.

On the southside, Mahon Community Centre, which opened its doors on Saturday, has extended its opening hours because of the demand. The centre has made its toilet facilities available to the public and is also supplying free drinking water.

Manager Denis Coffey said volunteers will be available at the centre from 8.45am to 9pm until Friday, and between 10am and 4pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Cork Business Association (CBA) praised all involved in the emergency response.

“Hopefully most businesses affected by the floodwater will be back trading by the weekend,” CBA chief executive Donal Healy said.

“It is important to note that the rest of the city is unaffected and open for business.”