HUNDREDS OF homes across Cork city were left without water yesterday due to burst water mains and pipes.
Cork City Council staff are focusing on repairing damaged mains to get supplies back to as many homes as possible while providing stand pipes for people still without water.
The large number of leaks caused by the sub-zero temperatures and subsequent thaw had also resulted in a drop in water pressure in supplies to many homes.
A council spokesman urged people to check any vacant premises for burst or leaking pipes and if they discover any leaks, they should immediately switch off the water supply. Affected premises could include schools and offices which are closed over the Christmas period and these should also be checked.
Anyone experiencing problems was advised to contact a special telephone line on 021-4966512.
Standpipes have been set up at Boreenamanna Road and Deerpark on the southside of the city, and also at Blackpool Church, Glenamoy Road and near Collins Barracks on the city’s northside.
Workers Party councillor Ted Tynan said he had received calls from up to 20 householders left without water across the North East ward including Mayfield and Montenotte.
Cllr Tynan said it appeared in many cases stopcocks had not been sunk deep enough resulting in water supplies into houses freezing and bursting with the problem coming to light in the thaw.
Mr Chris O’Leary of Sinn Féin said he had received up to 20 calls from people left without water on the southside of the city and the problem highlighted the difficulties with staff cutbacks.
“Normally, we hear that up to 50 per cent of water supplies can be lost through leaks but I would estimate that at the moment it could be as high as 60 per cent,” said Mr O’Leary who represents the South East Ward.