COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, September 12, 2011

MOTION NO. 17

MOTION: Councillor C. Bond

That this council examines the feasibility of helping tenants to conserve water usage, such as the provision of rainwater barrels for garden use, and the installation of more water efficient appliances such as two flush toilets and water efficient taps.

REPORT:

There are rain water containers available on the market for approximately €60 each.  These are connected to the downpipe from the gutters.  These containers include a connecting kit, which when the container is full will allow the surplus water to drain off into the surface water drain.  The average container contains approximately 210 litres.  The two flush toilpiep fets known as the dual flush would be very costly to install as the Housing Department would have to change the sewerage pipe work and toilet pan and cistern in each case. 

There is however an internal water saving device on the market called HIPPO the Water Saver.  This is a special plastic container which is fitted inside the normal W.C. cistern which holds 9 litres of water.  This bag reduces the contents of the cistern by approximately 33%, which if fitted to the housing stock (approx. 9,000) would save a huge amount of water.  The individual cost of the product is approximately €3.50 but this does not include labour.  The total cost would be in the region of €31,500 excluding labour costs.  This system has been used in England for the last three years.  It is now being used in schools throughout Ireland as a conservation measure. 

There are no cost efficient taps.  If the Council were to fit ceramic disc taps this would only cut down on drips and would not be cost effective. The Council will consider the installation of the HIPPO system in the preparation of the Housing budget for 2012.