Water tankers deployed amid efforts to repair pipe

WATER tankers had to be deployed in parts of Cork’s western suburbs as work continued on repairing a ruptured trunk main which connects the city with the Inniscarra dam.

The main broke at Innishmore, Ballincollig, on Sunday evening, with the loss of 18 million gallons of water.

As a result, up to 20,000 homes were left without water and electricity.

Cork County Council staff managed to divert water from other reservoirs yesterday, restoring supply to many households in Ballincollig, Carrigrohane, Curraheen, Bishopstown and low-lying areas of Ballinora.

However, they were unable to restore supply to Waterfall, Bandon Road and high areas of Ballinora.

By early afternoon the council brought tanker supplies in for those affected householders, locating them outside O’Shea’s Pub, Waterfall, and Dunnes Stores car park at Bishopstown Court.

County manager Martin Riordan told councillors that repair work had been complicated by overhanging electricity cables at the Innishmore site.

He said two 20kV powerlines crossing the 1.5 metre diameter trunk main had to be decommissioned because they presented a danger to workers undertaking repairs and that was why electricity was also cut off to a number of homes for some hours.

Cllr Derry Canty (FG) urged the manager to set up a dedicated hotline for councilors seeking information on major main breaks in the future.

He said it took him some time to get information from officials on the seriousness of the incident.

Mr Riordan said the full extent of the damage has been assessed and replacement of a section of pipe was required. He said these works are ongoing and could take up to 24 hours to complete.

Bob Farrell, the engineer in charge of the project, described the pipe fracture as a one-off.

He said around five metres of pipe would have to be completely removed and a new section slotted in.

Concerns had been previously expressed that Blarney and the heavily industrialised Ringaskiddy would be affected, but the council said they had retained supply.

Officials said they regretted the inconvenience caused to consumers.

lUpdates on the repair work are being made available to the public on the council’s website www.corkcoco.ie