Cork city drinking water update

City Council notice about areas affected here

http://corkcity.ie/news/mainbody,22195,en.html

and latest update link here

http://corkcity.ie/news/mainbody,22196,en.html

Edit - 4 pm Saturday update says this:

Cork City Council

Civic Emergency – update

The following is the current information resulting from the recent flooding as at 4pm on Saturday, 21st November 2009.

Water Supplies

Areas supplied by Lee Road Waterworks continue to experience supply disruption. Cork City Council Engineers have been working on the network to maximise delivery and have succeeded in stabilising supply to the Central Island and lower Blackpool, enabling businesses and shops to continue trading in these areas.

Consumers may expect some fluctuations in water pressure.

Emergency Water Supplies

Emergency water supplies are being provided in affected areas. Water tankers to provide this service are located in:



Ballyvolane Shopping Centre
Blackpool Shopping Centre
Hollyhill Shopping Centre
St. Mary’s Orthopaedic Hospital, Gurranabraher
Nemo Rangers GAA, South Douglas Road
Hydrant Stand Pipes are also in place in the following areas:

Musgrave Part (Entrance), Pearse Road, Ballyphehane
Ardmahon Estate, Ballinlough
Junction Togher Road / Clashduv Road
Sandymount Drive, Summerstown Grove, Glasheen
Mardyke Walk (opp. UCC Sports Complex)


People are asked to bring their own containers and if you are unsure that your container is clean, the water should be boiled before use.

Additional water points are to be added over the coming days.

Caution: Householders in affected areas should exercise caution in the use of heating systems and electrical appliances e.g. washing machines, dish washers and electrical showers.

Schools

Most schools in affected areas have confirmed their closure for the duration of the emergency. Parents should contact their individual school directly.

Public Health & Sanitation

The HSE has issued public health information and advice in the following areas:

Ø Toilet flushing

If there is no water for flushing toilets, it is important that all water used for washing, bathing, and from cooking (i.e. water from boiled vegetables) or washing up is saved in buckets to be used for flushing. It is not necessary to flush the toilet after urination. Other sources of recycled water can also be used for flushing e.g. rain water.

Ø Handwashing

People should ensure that they wash hands frequently – if no tap water is available, then use water from City Council tankers, hand wipes, sanitizers, etc.

Ø Bathing infants

If tap water is not available for bathing infants, boiled and cooled tanker water or bottled water are safe alternatives. A safe alternative to bathing is to use baby wipes for hand cleansing and washing infants.

Ø Baby food

In preparing formula feeds for infants / babies, ideally use water from a water tanker or bottled water, brought to a ‘rolling’ boil and left covered to cool for no more than half an hour, then follow the manufacturer’s instructions on making up the feed. The use of unboiled tanker water should be avoided. Use cooled boiled water or bottled water for cooling the feed once it has been made up. Ready-to-feed liquid formula could be used instead.

If you buy your own bottled water, be aware that some natural mineral water may have high sodium content. Look at the label for sodium or `Na’ and check its level is not higher than 200mg a litre. If it is, then try to use different water. If no other water is available, then use this water for as short a time as possible. It is important to keep babies hydrated.

Ø Boiling water

Containers – ensure that containers for water carrying and / or storage are clean.

If the quality of the container cannot be guaranteed, it may be advisable to boil water before use – this will be for drinking and food preparation. All water for these purposes should be brought to a boil and then allowed to cool before using. Only water which has been boiled or bottled water should be used for brushing teeth, washing food, cooking and making ice.

Remember that boiling water can carry a risk of scalding accidents. It is advisable to use a kettle rather than pots and pans. If you must use open containers such as pots and pans, then special care should be taken when young children or vulnerable people are involved. Keep panhandles turned inwards when boiling water in pans so that children cannot reach them.

Ø Food washing

It is advisable to boil water before use for drinking and food preparation purposes

For further public health information, see www.hse.ie



Road Closures

Carrigrohane Road and Grenville Place are permanently closed until further notice.



A section of riverside walk has collapsed at Sunday’s Well Road near Wellington Bridge and on Saturday, 21st November Cork City Council is organising necessary structural works. Traffic has been restricted to eastbound traffic only.

An Garda Síochána advise motorists to drive carefully and to remain aware of storm debris on road carriageways. Similarly pedestrians should also heed the advice and warnings of Gardaí.

Cork City Council Contact Numbers for queries 8am – 6pm on Saturday 21st and 8am – 10pm Sunday 22nd November are:

021 4924178

021 4924679

021 4924228

021 4924255



Members of the public should stay tuned to local radio stations for any further updates.



Valerie O’Sullivan,

Director of Emergency Services,

Cork City Council,