Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Council have provided the following Information on the continued water disruption, which has necessitated a series of emergency shut downs, as well as answers to frequently asked questions:

Click here for Water Supply FAQs

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The water supply situation in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown remains critical across the County and Region. Customer demand within the region and the County currently greatly exceeds production capacity.

In order to recharge water storage and return to normal supply levels, Council Engineers have ‘throttled’ water supplies across the whole county. ‘Throttling’ means reducing the volume of water going into the network from the reservoir. However, these throttling measures have not resulted in the required levels water savings and the Council have now commenced a series of emergency shut-downs.

In order to respond effectively to the constantly changing situation, it has not always been possible to give advance notice of water disruption. Some households and businesses should therefore be advised to expect sudden interruptions to their water supply.

The Council’s objective in this current water crisis is to provide a supply for at
least a number of hours in every 24 hour period.

In order to ensure the ongoing viability of the water distribution network, households and businesses must conserve water at all times and in particular should ensure that:

1. toilet flushing be kept to a minimum (businesses should, where possible, switch off automatic toilet flushing systems)

2. all taps are kept in the ‘off’ position when not in use, especially during periods of water disruptions, to ensure that no wastage of water occurs when supplies are restored.

For further conservation measures, please visit: www.taptips.ie

For updates on the water supply situation please visit:

a. The Council’s website: www.dlrcoco.ie

b. The Council’s DLR emergency update blog – dlremergencyupdates.blogspot.com

- OR -

c. Ring Water Services directly (01) 205 4800 during working hours (extended until 8pm on Thursday - Friday), Saturday 9am – 4pm, Sunday 9am - 4pm

FAQ – Water Supply – 14 January 2010

1. Why do we have a water crisis given the recent rain and snow?

The problem is not with raw or untreated water. However, while the water treatment plants in the region which purify water to drinking water standards are working at full capacity, 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 this 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, therefore, 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.

6. What is the Council doing to fix this problem?

The Region and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council have not previously been required to implement such severe water conservation and rationing measures over such a prolonged period. 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.

7. How can I contact the Council for updates:

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
(extended until 8pm on Thursday - Friday), Saturday 9am – 4pm.

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.