Water restrictions may last two weeks

WHILE many households are now receiving normal water supply, it could be up to two weeks before a number of areas will see their full supplies restored.

The Department of the Environment yesterday confirmed the water supply situation had stabilised across most local authority areas.

But it said, while the situation had improved in Dublin, there would continue to be restrictions there for at least the next 12 days.

In Cork, even though most of the south and west of the county has seen supplies returned to normal, parts of north Cork were still experiencing problems.

In particular Mallow and Charleville were affected by burst pipes and the critically low level in the reservoir supplying Mallow.

Interruptions in the town will continue in the coming days due to the excessive demand, Cork County Council said.

Parts of Co Galway are also in a similar position.

Householders in the capital and surrounding areas are still seeing their water shut off in the early evening and not returning until 7am. The shortage is being caused by burst pipes rather than a lack of supply. Tonight the water will be turned off once again from 7pm.

In Co Clare, the council’s leak detection and repair crews were out yesterday to try to restore service but it said while the supply situation was improving it would be three days before the flow would be back to normal in most of the county.

Today, there is likely to be a surge in the number of calls to local authorities as a number of businesses return to work after the Christmas break.

A number of employers took the initiative and came in over the weekend to check their supplies and fix any shortcomings.

Another surge is expected next Monday when many of the schools return.

The chief executive of the Restaurant Association of Ireland, Adrian Cummins yesterday repeated calls for compensation from local authorities due to loss of business because of the water restrictions placed on restaurants.

He claimed councils were “oblivious” to the economic situation that his members faced in this present climate. Mr Cummins is also seeking an urgent meeting with Tourism Minister Mary Hanafin to discuss problems associated with the water shortage.

BUSINESS

ISME, which represents small-and medium-sized enterprises, said while it had received calls from some members, up to now the effect of the water shortage had been minimal because not that many had returned to work.

“The catering area has been problematic but they have got through it,” said ISME chief executive Mark Fielding. “In food preparation the staff have come in to prepare the food a bit later. Generally the businesses that have been affected have been flexible.”

Mr Fielding said ISME had advised its members on Saturday to get into their workplaces ahead of today to check the situation with their water and heating and so avoid confronting issues when all their staff are back.

He also said ISME would be calling on local authorities to take into account the difficulties small businesses have faced as a result of the water shortages.

PUBS

DESPITE the massive inconvenience caused by the water being turned off, many pubs continued to serve punters throughout the Christmas period.

Vintners’ Federation of Ireland president Gerry Mellett said he did not hear from any publicans who had been forced to close.

However, he said that he and other rural publicans owed a great deal of thanks to the local farmers who had provided them with water during the crisis.

“It would have been much different for those based in the towns and cities and it must have been difficult but I think they accessed alternative supplies.”

He said the whole hospitality industry was suffering, adding that something needed to be done to shore up the water supply as the situation appeared to be getting worse from year to year.

SCHOOLS

SCHOOLS may not be due back until next week but already principals have been checking the effect of the big freeze and subsequent water shortages on their premises.

Ferdia Kelly of the Joint Managerial Body, which represents the boards of almost 400 religious-owned secondary schools, said it was hoped that any water shortages will have been resolved by the time pupils return next week.

He said he had heard from one principal who had encountered issues over the Christmas period but that the full extent would not be known until his office and other representative bodies re-open today.

In the North, where schools reopened yesterday and where water supplies are still struggling, Education Minister Caitríona Ruane said only nine schools due to reopen this morning would not be able to do so.