FAQ - Water Supply - December 2010
Water and Drainage
Water Supply FAQ - December 2010
1) Why are there water restrictions in place given the recent snowfall?
The water treatment plants in the region which purify water to drinking water standards are working at full capacity, but demand within the region and the County is at an exceptional level and greatly exceeds this water treatment capacity.
This exceptional demand is due to leakage from the burst mains arising from the recent cold spell and some customer wastage (e.g. running taps to avoid frozen pipes).
2) When will my water be back on?
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide exact times of when water will be restored to households. However, our current objective is to try and ensure that no household or business is without water for a period greater than 24 hours. If, after 24 hours, your household or business remains without water, please contact us (see detail below).
3) How long is this crisis going to last?
The interruptions to supply will continue until the capacity in the region to treat water exceeds the demand and the levels in the treated water reservoirs start to rise. We will continue to inform households and businesses of progress.
4) Why was I given no notice before my water was turned off?
Due to the deterioration in the water supply situation, the Council has had to take a variety of emergency measures. In some instances, it has not been possible to provide advance notice of stoppages. Where possible, we will continue to advise customers in advance.
5) What can I do to help?
The Council appreciate the conservation efforts of households and businesses and we are urgently requesting them to continue their efforts to protect the ongoing viability of the water supply network. See above and visit www.taptips.ie for more information and helpful tips. You can also help the Council find and fix leaks by emailing: burstmains@dlrcoco.ie
6) What is the Council doing to fix this problem?
The Council’s crews are fixing bursts and leaks across the County as soon as they have been identified and prioritised. In this regard, the help of the public would be appreciated in reporting any suspected leaks to our dedicated email address: burstmains@dlrcoco.ie. Also, the Council is putting in place a regime of pressure reductions and mains shut offs at night to try to preserve water in the regional and local reservoirs.
7) How can I keep up-to-date with the water supply situation in DLR:
a. Log-on to Council’s the website regularly – www.dlrcoco.ie
b. Visit the DLR emergency update blog – http://dlremergencyupdates.blogspot.com/
c. Ring Water Services directly (01) 205 4800 during working hours
d. Out of office hours please ring (01) 677 8844
e. Visit Aertel Page 630
The Council have drafted in staff from sections across the organisation to the Water Services section to help answer customer queries. We appreciate your patience as staff are extremely busy answering phone and email queries, and delays can be expected.
8) How will my tank refill?
Your attic water tank will start to fill once the water supply has been restored and normal pressure returns. There may be a time-lag between the time water arrives at the kitchen tap and the time the attic tank starts to fill. Please note that your upstairs taps draw from your attic storage tank, whereas the tap at the kitchen sink is drawn from the mains. This may explain why you have water in some parts of the house and not in others.
9) How do I know when water supply is restored?
Check your cold-water kitchen tap but do not leave tap open while awaiting return of water supply.
10) Why did my water not come on at 7am?
Depending where your house is location in the water supply zone, it may take until mid morning for full pressure to come to your area. For example, watermains in higher areas are the last to fill.
11) Is my central heating affected?
Modern central heating systems should not be dependant on a direct (open) mains water supply to function. However, each householder is advised to check with their central heating installer / plumber to ascertain the particular circumstances relating to their own heating system.