COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
MOTION NO. 5
MOTION: Councillor P. Gogarty
"That this Committee, given that some aspects of water services remain in its remit:
- Notes the serious, long-standing and ongoing problems that many residents of Cherbury Park have been experiencing in relation to blocked drains backing up and other blockages in drainage/sewage etc
- Notes the role the Council has in monitoring tree roots and other such problems that may exacerbate the situation
- Notes that the cause of the blockage problem has largely been identified as originating under the N4 carriageway and requires urgent remediation
- Notes that Irish Water had previously indicated that such works would take place before Christmas and now may be earmarked for the Spring
- Further notes that Transport Infrastructure Ireland have stated to this Councillor that they are not the cause of any delay in such works regarding the scheduling of a suitable timeframe to carry them out; and as such
- Calls on all relevant officials in this Council to proactively liaise with and ensure Irish Water urgently carries out the works required, with the Council facilitating anything required on its side; and, arising from this motion being passed
- Calls on Irish Water to directly report to this Committee to explain its role in not dealing with this situation in a timely manner, which has caused untold misery to several residents, including over the recent Christmas period and also requests that it gives a clear and irrevokable timeframe in the coming weeks for this matter to be dealt with for once and for all."
REPORT:
"Irish Water was designated as the Water Services Authority on 1st January 2014. This made them responsible for the management of the Drinking Water and Foul Drainage Netowrks and assets, it also gave the responsibility for capital investment and projects.
Local Authorities including SDCC currently continue to deliver some of the water and wastewater functions on behalf of Irish Water through a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with them. Irish Water assign works to SDCC by raising Work Orders through their systems, this enables them to track works that we carry out on their behalf. We have been directed by Irish Water to refer all customer enquires to the Irish Water call centre so that they can track customer requests, queries and complaints.
As part of the SLA, SDCC can identify or suggest to Irish Water schemes that would be beneficial or necessary. However, the ultimate decision on, the funding of and responsibility for those schemes rests with Irish Water.
SDCC remains responsible for Surface Water drainage.
Motion 5, Part;
(a) SDCC Water Services identified the issue at Cherbury Park to Irish Water in May 2014. Irish Water approved capital funding in mid-2015, they subsequently ran a tendering process in July/August 2016 and appojnted a contractor in September 2016. Pending the completition of the capital scheme, SDCC Drainage Inspectors have regularly monitored the area on behalf of Irish Water and have arranged for some jetting works when issues were identified.
(b) Irish Water is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the Foul Drainage systems. As required under the SLA, SDCC co-operate and liaise with Irish Water to help to ensure that the water and foul drainage networks are maintained. Where an issue (such as tree roots entering a foul sewer) is discovered by SDCC, a Work Order can be requested from Irish Water for SDCC crews to carry out routine maintenance works to clear those roots. Where the works involve more substantial works, SDCC can recommend to Irish Water that capital funding be provided to carry out the necessary works.
(c) The Capital scheme for the foul drainage is being advanced by Irish Water. This will involve the replacement of the section of foul sewer under the N4.
(d) We understand from Irish Water that they anticipate the scheme to commence in April 2017. Irish Water has informed us that delays in commencing the contract were due to difficulties agreeing the working times with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and their contractor. The issue for the delay is that TII will not allow planned resurfacing works to be carried out on National Roads during the winter months (October to March).
(e) We note that TII have disputed that they are a cause of the delay. However Irish Water are managing the capital contract with their contractor, they have recently been in contact with TII seeking to carry out the works in February, however no agreement has been reached yet.
(f) SDCC will continue to proactively liaise with Irish Water, as is required under the SLA. SDCC has made every effort to expedite the Cherbury Park scheme and has provided any information required by Irish Water in a timely fashion.
(g) Should this motion be passed we will forward its details to Irish Water for response.
Members are reminded that Irish Water have established a Local Representatives Service Desk which is committed to giving speedy responses to Elected Officials.
This Service Desk can be contacted at localrepsupport@water.ie or at 1890 178 178"