This article is from page 20 of the 2011-09-27 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 20 JPG
HOUSEHOLDS are being encouraged to take appropriate precautions this winter as it was revealed that demand for water in Clare increased by almost 80 per cent during the last two extreme weather events.
Speaking last week, David Timlin, Director of Environment and Water Services, said Clare County Coun cil’s resources were stretched to the limit due to the demand for services in the winters of 2009 and 2010. He told a meeting of the council’s Environmental and Water Services Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) that demand for water increased by 70 per cent or 80 per cent during the period. He said that for a number of reasons, including economic factors, the council could not legitimately be expected to provide for that level of spare capacity.
Mr Timlin said that the council had “bent over backwards” to accommodate private housing estates that had suffered interruptions to the water supply where the work was not the responsibility of the local authority. However he warned that there is a “limit” to what the council can be expected to do.
SPC Chairman, Cllr Joe Arkins (FG), said Clare County Council could not be expected to “undo the dirty work of developers”.
His comments came as Clare County Council issued an appeal to homeowners to make sure their property is prepared to deal with cold weather temperatures this winter.
Freezing temperatures caused interruptions to the water supply of homes around the county during December (2010) and January of this year.
Ennis Town Council’s helpline logged 500 calls a day during the period, while 360 leaks were repaired in the Ennis area.
A huge increase in demand for water use in Ennis resulted in production at the Ennis Water Treatment Plant reaching almost 20,000 cubic metres on December 27, 2010.
Normal demand in the Ennis area is 15,000 cubic metres. The council was also forced to turn off water in almost 70 unoccupied premises and businesses in Ennis.
During the supply shortage period, Clarecastle, including the Roche pharmaceutical plant, received water from Ennis and West Clare.
Clare County Council has launched a new campaign aimed at highlighting the importance of insulating and protecting properties this winter.
Leaflets containing advice on reducing the risk of frozen pipes will be made available from the council.
Cllr Arkins said property owners should be aware that responsibility for pipes leading from the water main to the meter box lies with the local authority while all pipework within the house boundary is the responsibility of the homeowner.