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Water Supply Disconnected-Any Compensation?

  • 06-11-2006 1:32pm
    #1
    mikemac
    Closed Accounts Posts: 19,986 ✭✭✭✭


    I understand that any replies to my thread are not to be taken as legal advice.

    I live close to the city centre(city unnamed to protect City Council ).
    There is a development of apartments being built approx 200 metres behind our street.

    On Friday evening., the water mains was ruptured. I ran out of cold water on Saturday and the water in the hot tank ran out on Sunday morning. So I've gone over 24 hours without access to water and all that entails ,(shower, washing machine, cooking,toilet,etc).

    I've phoned the council three times on Sunday and twice today but have no update on when it'll be reconnected but was told the water department were "aware" of the problem.
    I was also told the developer on the site was digging a trench on Friday evening and ruptered the water main. I wasn't aware of the problem until Saturday due to the water tank upstairs being full.

    The nursing home close by received a tanker of water today which I doubt they will have to pay for.

    Would I be entitled to lodge a claim for compensation against the developer who caused the problem or the council who have known about it for 3 days but still have not fixed it?
    Not trying a frivolous claim but surley the law has something to help me and my entire street. What if the water pipes become airlocked(I don't know if this happens) and I have to call a plumber. Who pays?

    Thanks


Comments

  • #2
    skyhighflyer
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,149 ✭✭✭skyhighflyer


    Probably not. The law of negligence generally compensates damage to person or property. It doesn't compensate inconvenience. If the pipes did become airlocked and you had to pay a plumber to fix them, then you might have a claim in negligence against the developer assuming they were the cause of the damage.

    I think that Local Authorties have some kind of statutory immunity in cases like this (maybe someone who remembers tort better than I might comment). I assume they're taking reasonable steps to fix the water supply and I'm pretty sure thats all they could (and should) be expected to do.


  • #3
    Overheal
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86,729 ✭✭✭✭Overheal


    Situation in Ennis was that due to the undrinkable quality of the water, they were (or have they? I havent checked) planning on enacting schemes where they would subsidise the cost to residents for the purchase of bottled water. However, that was on a grand scale of people (all of Ennis and many of its Sattlites for around 5-10 Miles in any direction); somehow I doubt they will be showing as much sympathy in your case. Just buy some bottles for the weekend, and as far as Hygene goes, you may have to submit yourself to asking a friend if you can use his shower /=/ its not a great situation but what can you do?

    Just to note I don't hold any harsh feelings toward Ennis Council; but it was/is a long-term problem, and it shouldnt be.


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