Sudden thaw brings water misery

By TONY GALVIN householders throughout the county are without water or experiencing restrictions in service as the thaw has wrought havoc on the domestic supply network. Motorists are also having to negotiate large pot-holes which have appeared on the roads following the thaw. Frost and severe low temperatures combined with salting and the sudden thaw have damaged many road surfaces and it is now feared it will take months to get all the damage repaired. These problems are keeping Co Council and City Council crews stretched to the limit as they try to respond to calls from every area of the county. A Senior Engineer with Galway Co Council, Enda Maloney, told The Herald that while the water supply system is under pressure there have been no major mains problems in the Tuam and North-East Galway area and he hopes to see most of the problems being experienced by householders and businesses resolved quickly. He explained that the Tuam Regional Water Scheme was functioning well and bringing water to individual connections but problems arose when these connections froze. 'We're under pressure and have crews on the road throughout the county but we're happy enough that we're getting there at this stage,' he said on Tuesday afternoon. The extreme cold on Christmas Day and St Stephen's Day was followed by a rapid rise in temperatures and resulted in numerous fractures to frozen domestic water pipes. A temperature of -15 degrees was recorded in Claremorris on Christmas Day and one of the coldest temperatures on record was recorded in the West of Ireland, -17.5 degrees was logged at Straid climate station, Co Mayo, on the same day. The sudden rise of temperatures on Bank Holiday Monday, generally, around 10 degrees or over, put many domestic water systems under pressure and many householders have been experiencing severe difficulties. Some have been without water for up to a week at this stage. In many areas the ground was frozen down to a depth of 18 inches and in some case 24. While mains pipes have escaped lightly, smaller connections have been causing severe difficulties. Tuam Area Cllr Sean Canney told The Herald he is being inundated with calls from householders who are experiencing problems with their water supply. However, he has to point out that the local authority only has responsibility for water mains and supplies that they control and staff are stretched keeping these supplies running. Householders are responsible for dealing with any damage from the mains in to their properties and have either to deal with these problems themselves or obtain the services of a plumber. Tenants in local authority houses can call on Galway Co Council for assistance. Group water schemes are responsible for their entire network. Many of the problems being experienced by householders this week are as a result of damage done to pipe work which was frozen during the cold spell. The ice may have fractured pipes but the damage only becomes apparent once the thaw sets in. The Co Council is advising householders and businesses to turn their water off at the stopcock if leaving a premises unattended for any period of time. Pressure from the mains pushes frozen water into domestic systems and cause ruptures. All members of group water schemes are advised to check for leaks and to check all water connections. There have been problems in the Turloughmore, Moylough-Kilkerrin and Glenamaddy areas in this regard. Advice on Water Usage Galway Co Council continues to request all water users to reduce usage to the absolute minimum. The Council will continue to monitor the situation closely, and some night-time restrictions may be placed on supplies to conserve water and allow reservoir levels to build. Unnecessary and excessive water usage will give rise to water shortages.â€â€š On the other hand, minimising water demand in the home, business, and around the farm will help to prevent water outages. In a statement the Co Council have asked the public to co-operate by ensuring: â€Â¢ Taps are not left running or dripping â€Â¢ Vacant properties are checked for leaks or bursts, and repairs carried out where necessary. â€Â¢ Businesses, offices, or schools that may have been closed for the holiday period are checked. â€Â¢ Outhouses, field pipes and troughs etc are checked and leaks or bursts repaired. â€Â¢ If farm animals are indoors please shut off field connections to prevent bursts and leaks. Regular updates will be posted on the Council's website at www.galwaycoco.ie. The Water Services Section can be contacted on 091-476401.