COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

MOTION NO. 9

MOTION: Councillor L. O'Toole

That this Area Committee acknowledges the response received from Irish Water. While Irish Water are not legally obliged to provide a leaflet drop to residents as requested, for the Lucan area, and notes that any changes made are communicated via Councillors and their websites etc, it must be noted that not everyone has access to online media. For this reason this committee ask Irish Water to reconsider this request.

REPORT:

The area of South Dublin supplied from Peamount Reservoir with drinking water was extended by Irish Water in March 2018.  Previously the areas east of Lucan and north of Clondalkin were supplied from Belgard Reservoir which is supplied from the water treatment plant at Ballymore-Eustace.  The water in Peamount Reservoir is supplied primarily from the water treatment plant at Leixlip which is in line with how it was designed to operate.  All drinking water supplied by Irish Water within South Dublin, including from Leixlip water treatment works and from Ballymore-Eustace water treatment works is tested and is fully in compliance with the water quality standards required by the Drinking Water Regulations.

Following a motion passed at the Lucan September ACM the Council wrote to Irish Water enquiring how many complaints Irish Water had received directly from the public in Lucan area, and to comment on the possibility of a leaflet drop in the Lucan area.  Irish Water responded as follows:

1. Advise what complaints Irish Water have received directly from the public in Lucan area (related to the change of supply from Peamount in March 2018):

   Irish Water have received 10 complaints from customers in Lucan and Clondalkin areas regarding hard water.

2. Comment on the possibility of a leaflet drop in the Lucan area:

   It will not be possible for Irish Water to issue leaflets to all properties in the Lucan area.  It is necessary for Irish Water to regularly change water supplies across the country as part of its business as usual function.  Irish Water cannot carry out a leaflet drop every time this takes place due to both financial and resourcing constraints.  Irish Water immediately lets consumers know if there are any health implications with their water supply, as it is legally obliged to do.  There are no health implications as a result of a hard water supply.  There is information regarding hard water and water quality information on Irish Water's website www.water.ie.  If customers have any concern regarding their water supply they can contact Irish Water's call centre 24/7 on 1850 278 278.

Members are reminded that Irish Water have established a Local Representatives Service Desk which is committed to giving speedy responses.  This Service Desk can be contacted at localrepsupport@water.ie or at 1890 178 178

If this motion is passed Irish Water will be contacted to reconsider the request that they provide a leaflet drop to residents as requested.