Council outlines crisis procedure
METHODS OBSERVED DURING SHORTAGES
IN the light of the water supply crisis that hit the county in recent weeks, the council has outlined the Dublin-wide procedure observed by the region's four councils in the event of water shortages. The procedure was outlined in response to a request from Cllr Joan Maher (FG), who was particularly concerned about water shortages in towns on the east coast of the county.
Fingal County Council's water services department said the four Dublin councils as well as parts of Kildare, northern Wicklow and Meath are supplied with drinking water from a common network. Four main water treatment plants provide the bulk of that water, three of which are operated by Dublin City Council and one by Fingal County Council.
According to the water services department, the maximum output of these plants is 540 to 550 million litres per day with an average demand in the area for 530 to 540 million litres, leaving only two to four per cent spare capacity, even in normal circumstances. The department said
using a stand-pipe after water cuts affected Balrothery earlier in the year. this compared with greater Dublin region, a international best pracpeak in demand can tice of some 25% to 30% result in the problems spare capacity and in experienced in the thaw Paris for example, there that followed the big are three separate water freeze in January and supplies, with some 50% February. spare capacity. The water services
With this very limited department said that spare capacity in the once demand exceeds supply a procedure kicks in that starts with a series of ' emergency demand management meetings' and the problem is tackled on a regional basis.
According to the department: ' Water production capabilities are increased to the maximum and if required, pressure reduction or 'throttling' at night are the initial responses to maintain levels in the reservoirs.
'Coupled with this corrective action, water services departments communicate via the web, Aertel, through public representatives and other available media, informing customers of any problems and requesting that water conservation measures be adopted in houses and businesses.' The department added: 'Should demand continue to exceed production, we would reduce pressure during the day as well as at night and mobilise water tankers to provide water on the ground.
'It is essential that none of the region's reservoirs are allowed to empty as this will impact greatly on the region's ability to re-supply the areas fed from these reservoirs.'
- John MANNING
