Tipperary TD secures commitment from Uisce Éireann to improve water outages notifications

Tipperary Sinn Féin TD Martin Browne secures verbal agreement that ahead of localised water works that Irish Water, or their contractors, will give adequate prior notice to residents. This follows a concerning instance of a contractor calling to residents of Upper Friar Street, Cashel, after 10pm earlier this month.

“On Thursday last, I received calls from concerned residents in Upper Friar Street, Cashel, that people were knocking on the doors and windows of some houses, informing people not to park near water meters as works were due to take place later that night.

“Of course, this caused concerns among some residents, who had no prior notification of these works, and were therefore unsure as to whether those calling to their homes were genuine water workers or people with ulterior motives.

“After making enquiries with Tipperary County Council and with Irish Water, there was some uncertainty as to who, if anyone was responsible for making these calls.

“However, it was eventually confirmed to me that those making those calls were workers from Aqualeak, who were working on behalf of Shareridge, who are contracted to Irish Water.

“They were carrying out leak detection works, which I was informed had to be carried out at night.

“While I welcome any works that can be carried out to address the pitiful state of the Tipperary water infrastructure at the moment, to call to people’s houses after 10 o’clock at night to inform residents of unannounced works to take place immediately is unacceptable.

“Acting in this manner causes undue concern and worry to residents, and cannot be allowed to continue. That is why during my engagements with Irish Water on this matter, I conveyed these concerns, and demanded that in future, residents in localities where works are scheduled are given advance notice, which can be verified.

“The manner in which residents were treated is unacceptable. Whether Irish Water is carrying out the works, or whether the companies contracted to them are doing so, there must never again be any uncertainty as to what is happening, or who are carrying out those works.

“I have secured a verbal agreement that this will be addressed, and I will monitor this going forward.

“In general, Irish Water needs to improve its communications with households, localities and elected representatives; and this is a further example of where it needs to improve.”