Water Leak Highlights ‘Pontius Pilate’ Approach

Dublin South West TD Seán Crowe has said described the difficulties being experienced by residents,  many of them elderly, in New Bancroft Apartment Complex, as ‘typifying the uncertainty surrounding water and repairs under the government’s new regime.

Irish Water, South Dublin County Council and Park Developments are all claiming to residents that someone else is responsible for the water leak.

The residents say they are at their wits end trying to get the water leak fixed for over three weeks and all the while the three organisations argue in a ‘Pontius Pilate’ approach, about who is actually responsible for repairs.

Thousands of litres of treated water are today still pouring into the apartment complex’s drain.

Deputy Seán Crowe said:

“Residents from New Bancroft Apartment Complex inTallaght Village are at their wits end trying to get a water leak fixed,  which is responsible for thousands of litres of water leaking into the drains in the car park.

“A new lake has formed on the basement floor and their water pressure is vastly reduced.

“Irish Water claimed in correspondence that I have received, that the leak is on the private side of the development, that it isn’t leaking into the basement car park and that they are not responsible for the repairs.

“I am no engineer but I personally witnessed with my own eyes and registered with own ears, the water pouring out of walls, flowing and gurgling down into the car park drains.

“South Dublin County say the developer is responsible but Park Developments claim that they actually handed over that section to the local authority.

“This is a mess and highlights the uncertainty surrounding water repairs despite the assurances of the Environment Minister Alan Kelly this week in the Dáil saying that were would now be “greater clarity on the water issue.”

“Residents three weeks after reporting a substantial water leak are still at a loss about who will now fix the problem and who is ultimately responsible in situations like this.

“They also are out of pocket financially, having had to make long frustrating phone calls, have been given contradictory answers, have to deal with reduced water pressure, a lake in their basement car park and three long weeks later, have no idea when the problem will be resolved.

“Clarity around Irish Water promised by this government is far from being resolved and every day it seems we are faced with new challenges and difficulties from this new entity.”