The operator of a social housing complex in Dublin’s north-inner city has said it does not have a timeline as to when running water will resume, after residents have gone almost a week without access to it.
Tap water in the 106 flats in Killarney Court stopped overnight last Tuesday following a burst to a watermains pipe on the road outside the complex.
Irish Water said the disruption is a private side issue, and there is “no issue with public supply”. Killarney Court, which underwent a big regeneration programme in 2002, is managed by housing association Clúid.
In an update on Monday, the association confirmed there continues to be no running water in Killarney Court, which is affecting both residents and commercial units.
“Clúid Housing sincerely apologises for the situation at Killarney Court and is doing everything we can to solve the lack of water,” the body said.
“Our property services team has been on-site since last week working to resolve the issue. While this work is being conducted, we have supplied both bottled drinking water and a 24/7 accessible drinking water tap to residents. There are water tankers available for other water requirements such as washing or flushing toilets.”
Clúid said the housing management team went door-to-door on Monday and “are building appropriate contingency measures around people’s requirements”.
“We acknowledge this is a terrible situation for our residents to be in. Unfortunately, we do not have a timeline as to when water will resume, and we’ll be updating residents daily until we fix the problem,” it said.
“Clúid’s vision is a society where everyone has a great place to live, and we are falling short of that today. Clúid sincerely apologises for the inconvenience caused and we’re doing everything we can to resolve this as quickly as possible.”
Kathleen Reynolds, a resident, said the situation is “very frustrating”, but they are trying to just “grin and bear it”.
“Tuesday will be our seventh day. It seems like they’re getting nowhere. They don’t know where the problem is. They’re trying their best,” she said.
“It’s like living in the 1900s, having to wash yourself with a basin of water. Having to fill the cistern with water so you can flush the toilet. You have to laugh, because it you don’t laugh you’re going to cry.”
Independent councillor Christy Burke said it seems to be a “crisis” trying to find the leak, adding that management from Dublin City Council have mobilised crews to assist in the matter.”
“You have people in wheelchairs, or grandparents sending out their grandchildren to get water. The residents there can’t flush the toilet. Some of them have health issues that require baths in the morning, and they can’t have them,” he said.
