Irish Water Leak Figures Highlight Dysfunctional System –  Crowe

Dublin South West representative Seán Crowe TD has claimed that the information on the level of water leaks highlights the widely dysfunctional system that has been in place. Crowe was responding to reports that 49% of water will be lost through leaks in 2015 and that in some Local Authority areas they are losing half of their treated water.

Deputy Seán Crowe said:

“While I am not totally surprised at the  levels of leakage of treated water, the scale and the amount is clearly higher than anyone ever imagined.

“When Irish Water was being established we were told by Minister after Minister that the new entity would prove to be more cost efficient and that it would quickly address the issue of massive leaks within the system.

“Clearly from these latest figures that promise is still to be delivered on.

“Irish taxpayers have handed over almost €2 billion to Irish Water, with increased borrowing and still more further subventions on the way.

“This is happening without any prospect of any significant improvement in service or leakage any time soon.

“Irish Water treats 1.7 billion litres of water every day and a whopping 800 million litres is lost through leaks.

“At 16% South Dublin County Council has the lowest leakage figures in the state following substantial investment over the years, Roscommon is topping the list at 62% lost, Cork City 53% and Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s constituency of Mayo at 51%.

“Sinn Féin have said from day one that if even half of what has been spent to date on Irish Water, including Executive bonuses, Consultants and Legal advisors, had been spent directly on the addressing the actual leaks in the system and other structural problems, it would have been money well spent.

“What we did see emerge is a costly structure, not fit for purpose that has lost the confidence of the Irish public following scandal after scandal. These latest figures while highlighting the problem will do absolutely nothing to garner any additional support for that entity.”