Water to be shut off each night from 8pm to 6.30am

grouser

Here is a notice on Wicklow County Council website:
Water production at the Vartry water treatment works at Roundwood has reduced due to seasonal impacts of algae in the source water. Irish Water and Wicklow County Council are working together to restore supply. The algae occur naturally in clean fresh waters and though it does not pose a health risk, it slows the treatment processes at the production plant.

As a result, the water supplies to northeast Co. Wicklow are badly affected including the reservoir serving Enniskerry. As a result, the following areas in the Enniskerry area are without water: - Kilmolin, Kilgarron, Parknasilogue, Eagle Valley, Enniskerry Village, Knocksink, Ballyman Road, Monastery Area, Eagle Valley, R117 Road, and Millfield. Tankers will be in place at The Bog Meadow in Enniskerry village and Kilgarron housing estate, Enniskerry. In order to conserve water in the Greystones area, the supplies from the Drummin, Delgany reservoir will be shut off each night from 8 pm to 6:30 am.

The areas affected are – Greystones, Windgates, Delgany and Killincarrig Tankers are also in place at the following areas:
• Wingfield Farm, Glencormack, on road no. L1019 (Glencormack to Tinnahinch road).
• Bellevue Hill / Kindlestown Rise, Delgany.
• Tinnapark, Kilpedder – will be in place later on Monday 28th
• Timmore Lane (south of Newtown) – will be in place later on Monday 28th

The Vartry scheme was built in 1870 and problems with supply have been ongoing for a number of years. Irish Water, in taking over responsibility for water services on the 1st of January, identified this scheme as a very high risk scheme which requires major investment. Irish Water is accelerating a study to develop a modern treatment plant for this supply which will take a number of years to put in place.

Ciaranpm

If this continues to happen they can forget about charging me paying the water charges.

LEIN

Only a slight pressure reduction in Charlesland Wood so far.

FirstIn

Unbelievable. They're spending millions on consultants in order to charge us for water yet they can't give us a reliable supply. How f'ing stupid is that?

Cookie_Monster

FirstIn wrote: »

Unbelievable. They're spending millions on consultants in order to charge us for water yet they can't give us a reliable supply. How f'ing stupid is that?

did you even read the reason behind it or just ranting for the sake of it. Climatic conditions causing excess algal bloom, it happens and must be dealt with. Even in twenty years when all the infrastructure is fully repaired and up to spec it'll still happen on occasion, no point spending billions to solve a problem that happens extremely infrequently and when the system can cope the other 99.9% of the time.
Same reason Ireland doesn't buy a fleet of snow ploughs to keep the roads snow free, it doesn't happen often enough to justify the excessive spend required.

FirstIn

This isn't the first time we've had reduced supply. Fair enough maybe this is not easily avoidable. I believe last time was due to too many burst pipes or was it 2 weeks of decent weather!

Before I'd go charging someone for something I'd ensure I could reliably supply it.

youknowwho

Where is the "Delgany reservoir"?

FirstIn

On Blackberry lane I believe.

youknowwho

Nearly 40 years in the town and I didn't know that. Is it buried or enclosed?

loyatemu

youknowwho wrote: »

Nearly 40 years in the town and I didn't know that. Is it buried or enclosed?

Possibly this is it (underground)?

The Real B-man

youknowwho wrote: »

Nearly 40 years in the town and I didn't know that. Is it buried or enclosed?

Maybe there isnt one rather the Supply to that area they ment. Im open to stand corrected!

The Real B-man

loyatemu wrote: »

Possibly this is it (underground)?

Great minds think a like i was just looking at that i think it could be here?

youknowwho

Thanks for the responses. It looks like one alright. I'm aware of a one outside Bray on the Southern Cross and it is similar to the one photographed.

Every day's a school day

fat-tony

youknowwho wrote: »

Thanks for the responses. It looks like one alright. I'm aware of a one outside Bray on the Southern Cross and it is similar to the one photographed.

Every day's a school day

Giltspur Lane - off Southern Cross. Circular rather than rectangular though, so maybe not the one you are aware of?

Jimjay

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

did you even read the reason behind it or just ranting for the sake of it. Climatic conditions causing excess algal bloom, it happens and must be dealt with. Even in twenty years when all the infrastructure is fully repaired and up to spec it'll still happen on occasion, no point spending billions to solve a problem that happens extremely infrequently and when the system can cope the other 99.9% of the time.
Same reason Ireland doesn't buy a fleet of snow ploughs to keep the roads snow free, it doesn't happen often enough to justify the excessive spend required.

But did you not read that irish water also said the infrastructure at vartry is very dated and highly inadequate for purpose and that they are going to update it but the work will take years!!!

loyatemu

we're going to be paying per litre - every day the water is off we're saving money

JanneG

loyatemu wrote: »

we're going to be paying per litre - every day the water is off we're saving money

I'd say we'll be paying more in standing fees than for the water itself, so can't see us being anything than even more ripped off...

Can't really see Irish Water giving you a discount on your bill for lack of service like a lot of other service companies would...

FirstIn

Back to my earlier point. Bl@@dy joke.

grouser

Here is the latest from Wicklow County Council:

"Vartry Water Supply
Water production at the Vartry water treatment works at Roundwood has reduced due to seasonal impacts of algae in the source water. Irish water and Wicklow County Council are working together to restore supply. The algae occur naturally in clean fresh waters and though it does not pose a health risk, it slows the treatment processes at the production plant.

The algae occurs naturally in clean fresh water and though it does not pose a health risk, it slows the treatment processes at the production plant. As a result, the water supplies to Northeast County Wicklow are badly affected.

In order to conserve water and maintain supplies during the day, the following areas will have supply interrupted nightly between 8.00 p.m. – 6.30 a.m.

Enniskerry:
Kilmolin, Kilgarron, Parknasilogue, Eagle Valley, Enniskerry Village, Knocksink, Ballyman Road, Monastery Area, Eagle Valley, R117 and Millfield.

Greystones:
Greystones, Greystones Town Environs, Charlesland, Windgates, Delgany, Templecarrig and Killincarrig.

Properties at a high elevation in the area of Kilmacanogue, Kilpedder, Delgany and Newcastle will suffer a complete loss of water during the day time, but should receive some water which will be sufficient to fill storage tanks during night time hours. It is expected that all consumers will get some water from the public mains for a period within 24 hours.

Tankers are in place at the following areas:

Wingfield Farm, Glencormack, on road number L1019 (Glencormack to Tinnahinch road).
Bellevue Hill/Kindlestown Rise, Delgany.
Tinnapark, Kilpedder – will be in place later on Monday 28th.
Timmore Lane (south of Newtownmountkennedy) – will be in place on Monday 28th.
Bog Meadow.
Kilgarron Housing Estate, Enniskerry.

Please note that while mains will be turned back on at 6.30 a.m., it will take 2-3 hours to restore supply fully throughout the networks.

The Vartry Scheme was built in 1870 and problems with supply have been ongoing for a number of years.

Irish Water, in taking over responsibility for water services on the 1st January, 2014 identified this scheme as a very high risk scheme which requires major investment. Irish Water is accelerating a study to develop a modern treatment plant for this supply."

David Jones

After enduring 8 weeks of minimal or no water last summer, 10 days ago it all began again. Even when our water is supposedly on ie not during restricted hours this is the best we are getting, 40 seconds to fill a pint glass.

Link doesn't seem to embed but

http://youtu.be/SD73Io86u8w

No washing, showering etc can be done at all.
It is an utter disgrace given the junkets and corruption that have come to light regarding Wicklow county council and taxpayer's money. I have no problem paying for a consistent supply of quality water but I will not be paying any charges till improvements are in place. This country is a disgrace. I dare any election candidates to canvas my door.

Alun

Wicklow Co Co never had any involvement in the running of either the reservoir or the water treatment plant at the Vartry reservoirs, it fell under the responsibility of Dublin City Council, and now Irish Water.

David Jones

Wicklow Co Co never had any involvement in the running of either the reservoir or the water treatment plant at the Vartry reservoirs, it fell under the responsibility of Dublin City Council, and now Irish Water.

Wicklow Co Council, control the flow of pressure from the N11 to my house. I have confirmed this with Dublin County Council. I built in 2006 and my water has never ever been satisfactory yet I paid the figure (which ran into many thousands) plucked out of the air to supposedly cover supply of services by the County Council when planning was granted for the house.

This is not just an algae issue. Its a poorly run County issue, with representatives who you don't see from one election to the next.

caji

How long is this going to go on for?

JanneG

caji wrote: »

How long is this going to go on for?

Supposedly until they get the algae bloom under control? Could be days, weeks or even months...

I'd say it all depends on how much chemicals they're willing to use...

The Bishop Basher

David Jones wrote: »

I have no problem paying for a consistent supply of quality water but I will not be paying any charges till improvements are in place.

You're already paying for it.

yoshiktk

Did anyone else notice water getting worse in last few weeks? The taste,smell and look. I just hot a new kettle like a week or so and already I had to remove the "scale" from it. Could the " algs" had influence on that as well or just poor state of infrastructure?

fat-tony

It's odd that you mention scale in the kettle. I've never known the water to cause scale. That's usually associated with hard water areas.

yoshiktk

I did de-scale like yesterday. After using it after few times the scale was back. Tea is undrinkable when I use the tap water.

Alun

I get my water from Vartry reservoir too, and haven't descaled my kettle (or anything else) since I moved here 13 years ago! It doesn't even register on the water hardness scale if you use the strips you can get to test it. The water there comes down from the Wicklow Mountains and percolates through the peat, so if anything is slightly acidic.

yoshiktk

I'll have to ask the "handyman" from our building. Maybe its something with the Seabourne.

loyatemu

water was very chemically over the winter (we started buying bottled water), it's improved a bit over the last couple of months though.

How are restaurants etc coping with this?

fat-tony

yoshiktk wrote: »

I'll have to ask the "handyman" from our building. Maybe its something with the Seabourne.

Maybe? If anything the water is too soft and I know in my estate the copper cylinders and water tanks in the attic failed over the years through electrolytic corrosion. I've been here since 1987 and never had to de-scale a kettle or iron.

Wicklow Will

loyatemu wrote: »

we're going to be paying per litre - every day the water is off we're saving money

Will there not also be a standing charge? And, if our experience with the ESB / Electric Ireland, Bord Gas is anything to go by, the only way standing charges will go is Up! So, before they go looking for our hard earned dosh, one would think they'd make the service for which they are responsible, fit for purpose, available as advertised and reliable! P

Wicklow Will

David Jones wrote: »

After enduring 8 weeks of minimal or no water last summer, 10 days ago it all began again. Even when our water is supposedly on ie not during restricted hours this is the best we are getting, 40 seconds to fill a pint glass.

Link doesn't seem to embed but

http://youtu.be/SD73Io86u8w

No washing, showering etc can be done at all.
It is an utter disgrace given the junkets and corruption that have come to light regarding Wicklow county council and taxpayer's money. I have no problem paying for a consistent supply of quality water but I will not be paying any charges till improvements are in place. This country is a disgrace. I dare any election candidates to canvas my door.

Hear, hear! It's ridiculous that in a country with our rainfall we endure water supply [sic] services of this nature.

When I lived in South Africa, for years, I never once experienced water restrictions such as we have here and every house in our area had sprinkler systems in their gardens, that watered them early in the morning.

It's incredible that we can't even be competent in managing one of the resources that is most plentiful on this island!

mjmorrisroe

Yeah, I noticed the water pressure's all over the place and tap water is rather cloudy as it comes out, is this because of the algae bloom at Vartry?

Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink...

Don't Chute!

The cloudy water is just air bubbles let it settle and it will clear.

Charlie-Bravo

black and amber wrote: »

The cloudy water is just air bubbles let it settle and it will clear.

Best do a two-part pour for a proper pint.

Maudi

Firstly..not so much as a cent will they get from me..for the troika? dream on..second .they rolled out this algae horse s $&t last year but twas only around kilpeddar so nobody really heard about it..lastly.is dublin affected? And why are they getting water from wicklow and we are not?

red_bairn

fat-tony wrote: »

Maybe? If anything the water is too soft and I know in my estate the copper cylinders and water tanks in the attic failed over the years through electrolytic corrosion. I've been here since 1987 and never had to de-scale a kettle or iron.

Born in '87 and been drinking the water ever since...it's graaaaaand!

Wicklow Will

Maudi wrote: »

Firstly..not so much as a cent will they get from me..for the troika? dream on..second .they rolled out this algae horse s $&t last year but twas only around kilpeddar so nobody really heard about it..lastly.is dublin affected? And why are they getting water from wicklow and we are not?

If they knew about it last year, why o WHY have they not done something about it !?!?! Puts paid to earlier poster's statement that because this is rare it's not worth their while investing to address the issue or our getting exercised about it!

David Jones

The situation is very similar to water from Wales supplying parts of central UK. When there are water shortages and hosepipe bans etc, it is the residents of Wales that suffer the worst restrictions.

I presume that if Dublin were suffering the water shortages that North Wicklow was, there would be media coverage and canvassing for the elections would be a very unpleasant experience for euro wannabes.

"There is a tanker in Kilpeddar or Delgany" line doesnt really work for those of us who actually do a day's work, pay our taxes and expect our elected representatives to stand up for their constituents.

Cerco

Maudi wrote: »

Firstly..not so much as a cent will they get from me..for the troika? dream on..second .they rolled out this algae horse s $&t last year but twas only around kilpeddar so nobody really heard about it..lastly.is dublin affected? And why are they getting water from wicklow and we are not?

Nothing to do with the troika anymore. These charges are to fatten another quango, led by a man who also led the failed Poolbeg incinerator project,
costing us millions. Also interesting to see who has the contract(s) for installation.

loyatemu

AFAIK water in Dublin comes from both Roundwood and Blessington, with intermediate reservoirs at Stillorgan and elsewhere. As Blessington and the local reservoirs aren't affected by the algae, the Dublin water supply is ok.

(FWIW I don't agree with this "hands off our water" rhetoric occasionally invoked by Wicklow councillors - last I checked we're all part of the same country, the city has to get its water from somewhere and plenty of Wicklow people work in Dublin.)

Cerco

loyatemu wrote: »

(FWIW I don't agree with this "hands off our water" rhetoric occasionally invoked by Wicklow councillors - last I checked we're all part of the same country, the city has to get its water from somewhere and plenty of Wicklow people work in Dublin.)

I agree. I feel the same applies to any future projects taking water from the Shannon to service other areas including the Capital. Water is a not a regional resource.

Annasopra

I'm glad the Irish Times is reporting on this and knocking the conspiracy crap on the head

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/algal-bloom-hits-water-supplies-from-vartry-reservoir-1.1777973#.U2PSkCHLCuc.facebook

David Jones

last I checked we're all part of the same country, the city has to get its water from somewhere and plenty of Wicklow people work in Dublin.)

We are all part of the same country, but it seems it's ok for some of us to go without basic water facilities for extended periods. So in effect water is regional because some regions have consistent supply and others don't.
Well perhaps Dublin could lose what it gets from Wicklow while this problem continues and use supplies from it's other sources, possibly leaving more for the rest of us here in Wicklow. Or are you saying Dublin is more entitled to better pressure and supply?

Wicklow Will

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

I'm glad the Irish Times is reporting on this and knocking the conspiracy crap on the head

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/algal-bloom-hits-water-supplies-from-vartry-reservoir-1.1777973#.U2PSkCHLCuc.facebook

What "conspiracy" crap was that?

LEIN

Wicklow Will wrote: »

What "conspiracy" crap was that?

Did you bother to read the whole thread?

stoneruile

I came in from a few pints last night and realized this when going to bed. Bloody nightmare! I now know how Laurence of Arabia felt.

eleMental

sorry just on water colour....this morning i went to drink a glass of water from the tap and it was REALLY white and cloudy. is it still okay to drink?

David Jones

An algal bloom has affected the Vartry water-treatment plant at Roundwood, Co Wicklow, resulting in supply being cut off or reduced overnight to a wide area of northeast Wicklow.

That's not reporting, that's regurgitation of statements from county councils and Irish Water. If they talked to people affected, the truth is that we have had no water for 6 days now and such reduced pressure prior to that, that it might as well be none. That's not being reported by anyone. There is nothing coming out of our tap, nothing, zero. Now you tell me I should understand that Dublin needs to get its supply from somewhere and if I work in Dublin I need to be even more understanding but you clearly can go to your tap and fill a glass of water, or flush your toilet, shower or use your washing machine or perhaps you might have a different view.