Dublin water crisis is "a legacy of under investment"

» Mark Moloney

'Now you have homes getting water meters installed and being expected to pay for water while we have a crisis in the supply'

DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL still does not know why water production at the Ballymore Eustace Water Treatment Plant is down by 25% capacity, leaving an estimated 1.3 million people in Dublin, Wicklow, Kildare and surrounding areas affected by water restrictions and loss of supply for the foreseeable future.

Speaking to An Phoblact following the meeting of the Council's corporate policy group, Sinn Féin Councillor Micheál MacDonncha described the situation as "very serious", adding that because the problem has not been identified it is unclear how much longer the restrictions will go on.

The Donaghmede councillor says the problem is a legacy of under investment during the Celtic Tiger years, saying that resources should have gone in to upgrading water treatment, production and infrastructure facilities.

"Instead the resources have gone into establishing Irish Water/Uisce Eireann and water metering people's homes. So, now you have homes getting water meters installed and being expected to pay for water while we have a crisis in the supply," he said.

Water restrictions have been in place in Dublin since Wednesday from 8pm to 7am causing loss of supply and low pressure. The restrictions are expected to continue in place until at least Monday 4 November.