Vanishing water brings threat of rationing

THE country may be awash with water but notices in yesterday's newspapers warned people in Dublin city and county to conserve supplies, otherwise rationing may have to be introduced.

This despite the fact that reservoirs supplying the region are "at a satisfactory level", according to Mr Ciaran Murray, principal officer at Dublin Corporation's engineering department.

The water has to be treated before being supplied to the consumer, and of the loo million gallons piped daily through the region from its four treatment plants, only 60 million are actually used. The rest just disappears. "Leaks," according to Mr Murray. And there have been 400 "bursts" due to frost since Christmas.

A 1995 study, conducted for the Department of the Environment, established that 40 per cent of Dublin's treated water supply leaks from cast iron pipes which are among the oldest in Europe. They are there "70 to 80 years", according to Mr Murray.

However, it is hoped to have the water leakage in Dublin reduced by half within the next three years. Within a month the winner of a £32 million Department of the Environment tender to do this, will be announced. _

The successful company will use sophisticated equipment to locate and plug leaks. They will be paid "on a performance related basis, and their contract will include a penalty clause if they don't achieve targets.

As well as reducing leakage to 20 per cent within three years, the successful company will have to sustain that level for a further two years. A 20 per cent leakage is regarded as "reasonable" internationally, Mr Murray said, but it is hoped to reduce that figure still further.

Meanwhile Dublin's four local authorities will continue their water conservation awareness programme. So, though your street may be disappearing under a flood, make sure all your taps are turned off, take a shower instead of a bath, fully load your washing machine/dish washer before use, and let a downpour wash your car.