Water solution just doesn’t add up

Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Environment Minister Phil Hogan are claiming that 40% of the treated water in this country is lost on leaks.

An elementary equation (A-B = C) where

A= Treated water into the network

B= Treated water out of the network by domestic/commercial use

C= Leaking water from the system.

The value of B is unknown at present as very few properties have been metred. So it is impossible to ascertain the value of C. We can now conclude the figure of 40% is a guess. Big figures sound impressive and convincing, remember that’s “spin”.

Mr Hogan now comes out with another big figure for the allowance per household. 30,000 litres per household. Sounds like a lot but when you break it down its very little. It means that two people living together will get an allowance of 41 litres per day each. In an article in your own newspaper your columnist stated the average 7 minute shower per day uses up to 49 litres of water. So, for two person families, before they get dressed in the morning the clock is already ticking.

Ciarán Dunne

Ballintemple

Cork