Restrictions eased but disruption to continue

NIGHT-TIME water restrictions have been lifted in Cork city but thousands of households across the country will continue to experience disruption until the weekend at least.

Cork City Council announced yesterday morning that it is lifting its night-time restrictions completely.

At the peak of the big freeze water crisis, restriction were in place in 15 parts of the city — mostly on the northside —but those areas were reduced to just five last weekend.

The decision to lift all restrictions was taken yesterday after the local authority assessed the impact the return to work on Tuesday had on its depleted reservoir levels.

Gerry O’Beirne, the head of the city’s Environment Directorate, said reservoir supplies now exceeds demand.

But he said repairs on burst water mains will continue for several weeks but householders should not be affected.

But there was criticism of the council’s 24-hour emergency phone line with some residents claiming it was easier to get through to the Vatican.

Lord Mayor Cllr Michael O’Connell defended the council’s response.

He said six dedicated lines were in use.

At the peak of the crisis over 300 calls were fielded in one 24-hourperiod.

He said each call had to be investigated and prioritised before it emerged that in most cases, the problem was not the responsibility of the council at all.

In Cork county, water has been restored to all areas except Mallow.

The reservoir level is still low and interruptions will continue in the coming days due to excessive demand.

Tankers will continue to supply water daily at Gooldshill Housing Estate (on the entrance road from the Cork Road) and at Bowling Green car park from 12 noon to 6pm.

In Dublin, overnight water restrictions will remain in place for at least another five days. Dublin City Council said recovery of water levels at its reservoirs on Monday night was less than expected.

It hopes to be back to pressure reductions only by next Monday.

But in areas where there has been no water for almost three weeks, householders were warned that disruption will continue until the weekend.

Repair work is still underway in counties Clare, Galway, Laois, Limerick, Wicklow, Cavan and Sligo.

In Clare, demand for water is still exceeding supply capacity on some water supplies in and night-time restrictions remain in place, while those in affected areas are being supplied by water tankers and stand-pipes.

In Galway city, water has been restored to most areas but Maunsells Road, Maunsells Park, and High Road Ballybrit are still experiencing difficulties.

Full supply should berestored by the weekend.

Water tankers are also being used in several parts of Cavan town as council crews continue work to identify and repair leaks.

In Sligo, night-time restriction remain in place in Ballymote and Ballintogher.

In Limerick, boil water notices which were imposed before Christmas remain in place for the Abbeyfeale, Kilmallock and Newcastle West public water supplies.