Broken mains and running taps lead to water crisis

WATER shortages are the next big problem facing householders and businesses as a result of the ongoing freeze.

Broken water mains combined with householders continually running taps to stop pipes freezing mean reservoirs are running low in several parts of the country.

Parts of Dublin were due to be cut off last night in an effort to conserve stocks and the remainder of the city and surrounding areas will experience cut-offs on a phased basis over the coming nights.

Supplies in Kerry, west Cork, Galway and Donegal are also under severe pressure and restrictions are applying in many areas.

Dublin city engineer Michael Phillips said yesterday the situation could worsen when the thaw set in as more pipes were likely to fracture when soil shifted as the warming ground expanded.

He pleaded with householders not to run taps or to stockpile water in anticipation of cuts. “We would ask people to behave responsibly over the next weeks.

“We say to people, do not start filling up baths. People have 12-24 hours storage in their tanks so they will not be without water longer than that storage period.”

Met Éireann also warned there would no swift end to the arctic conditions. “Things will improve from Thursday onwards but it won’t be like January when south-westerlies came and melted everything in 24 hours,” said forecaster Gerald Fleming.

“We will have four days when the weather will be less cold — it will rise above zero — but it will be a slow thaw and places where ice is compacted will still be icy at the end of the weekend.”

He admitted forecasters had been caught a little off guard by the extent of the fresh snowfalls in many parts of the country yesterday which were expecting clear skies.

“This weather system was more active than we anticipated. These are pretty well unprecedented conditions and we are struggling to keep up with it.”

The National Roads Authority said local authorities had used up a normal year’s supply of salt in just 11 days but added there were enough supplies still in stock with fresh supplies due to arrive in the coming weeks.

The Defence Forces said so far over 1,500 soldiers and 450 vehicles had been deployed to assist with transport, path clearing and other essential duties.