New water supply needed for Dublin

THERE have been calls for a strategic water reserve for Dublin after the recent disruption to supplies affected houses across the city.

Last Friday, Dublin City Council said there would be a phased return to normal water supplies as full production was restored at the Roundwood Water Treatment plant.

However, the council said it would continue to review and monitor storage levels and that reduced pressure restrictions would remain in place until a full service was resumed.

The most recent disruption to the city’s water has led to calls for a new source to be put in place to secure future supply.

“The water shortages in Dublin over Easter show the urgent need for a strategic water reserve for the region, to safeguard investment and domestic supply,

? said Deputy Kevin Humphreys (Lab).

“The combination of unseasonably cold weather and an algal bloom has left parts of the city short of water for the second time in just over two years.

“The Dublin region has a very limited reserve of water and a new source must be put in place to secure future growth.

?

Deputy Humphreys said a reliable water supply was also essential to the country’s industrial strategy.

“The greater Dublin region is the hub of Ireland’s economy,

? he added.

“Water is crucial to its continued growth so the Government can be provided with the tax revenues that pay for services all over the rest of the country.

?

Deputy Humphreys said the Bord Na Móna Garryhinch supply project, which aims to capture excess water on the Shannon when in flood to service the needs of the greater Dublin region, was key to the future water needs of the city.

“It is a project of strategic national importance that will require an investment of nearly e500 million,

? he said.

“Over 1,000 jobs will be created during construction. The last weekend shows once again that this project must be fast tracked.

?

Dublin City Council apologised for the restrictions but said that a significant amount of water had been saved due to the cooperation of consumers.

“Our regional strategic storage, which was at an extreme and unsustainable low level last Thursday, is almost back to its target level,

? a statement issued by the council reads.

“We will then continue to review and monitor the storage levels on an ongoing basis, but cannot rule out a return to more stringent restrictions if problems persist or the situation deteriorates.

“Water demand is currently running higher than average due to the cold weather, which has caused an increase in leakage, particularly on our old Victorian distribution system. Our crews are working flat out repairing any breaks as they arise. To help us in this regard we would ask people to report any location where they see water rising or running.

?

However, the council added that the single major issue still affecting supply was the severe disruption to water production at the Roundwood Treatment Plant.

“This normally produces 66 million litres a day (out of a maximum of 560 million litres for the entire Dublin Region) but is now down to an average of 40 million litres a day, a shortfall of 26 million litres,

? the statement pointed out.