Restrictions on water spark anger for firms

Business leaders in Dublin have criticised local authorities in the capital over their handling of problems with the city’s water supply and the introduction of severe nightly water restrictions.

Many business owners are also angered at admissions by Dublin City Council that it does not know how long the restrictions will be in place or the cause of the latest problem.

Dublin City engineer Michael Phillips said the council was puzzled by a recent change in the characteristics of water feeding into its treatment plant at Ballymore Eustace, Co Kildare, especially its turbidity (clarity).

It has placed serious pressure on the ability of the facility to treat a sufficient quantity of water to meet normal demand levels for drinking water in Dublin.

Severe water restrictions are being imposed across all parts of the city every night between 8pm and 7am with cuts to supply expected to last until Nov 4 at least.

The Restaurants Association of Ireland yesterday called on the four local authorities in the Dublin region to delay the water restrictions until the later time of 9.30pm or 10pm.

RAI chief executive Adrian Cummins criticised the lack of consultation with his members about the imposition of nightly restrictions which, he claimed, would have a disastrous impact on many restaurants.

Mr Cummins said the issue of water shortages in Dublin had been a recurring problem over the past four years.

The RAI head said the council’s inability to provide an adequate water supply made Ireland look like a third world country and was an embarrassment, especially with 7,000 overseas visitors in the city attending the Dublin Web Summit at the RDS.

“Dublin City Council has no idea how tough business is, especially for struggling restaurants where margins are tighter than ever,” said Mr Cummins who suggested the local authority should provide water tankers in city centre areas.

Mr Phillips said the situation would be reviewed on a daily basis with a view to lifting the restrictions as early as possible

He claimed local authorities had already introduced reductions in water pressure at night since last weekend in an effort to replenish storage levels but they had failed.

He admitted that local councils were already “on a knife edge” in supplying the demand for water.

Local authorities have advised householders to store water and avoid using large appliances as well as avoiding taking showers and baths.