Hosepipe Ban Introduced While 43% of Water is Leaking from System
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín TD has claimed that “this week’s introduction of a hosepipe ban, highlights the continuing crisis of a leaky water system in Ireland".
“The Fine Gael/Labour government that created Irish Water invested over €2 billion to Irish Water in its first 3 years on the premise that it was key to fixing the countries creaking water distribution system. Yet 7 years after the formation of Irish Water, the company is spending 100m on the fixing of leaks within the system with no real improvement in the system”.
“A report published by the Water Advisory Board in March this year found that between 2016 and 2018 there was an actual increase in the amount of water lost through leaks - it went from 732 million litres per day in 2016 to 781 million litres per day in 2018. The board also expressed their disappointment in the in the decrease in the number of repairs carried out - 'it continues to be the view of WAB that the management and improvement of the drinking and wastewater infrastructure and network requires significant and sustained action, particularly in the areas of leakages, mains repairs and wastewater treatment'”.
“Rather than fixing the water leaks Irish Water is now seeking piping water the 170km from the river Shannon to Dublin which will cost the state a further €1.3 billion. This is incredibly frustrating. We are throwing good money after bad. The government needs to get real. The annual 'stop watering your flowers' announcement that comes every time we experience even the mildest of heatwaves just highlights our ever creaking system.
