Council Should Assess Status of Service Pipes and Stopcocks- Cremin

Council Should Assess Status of Service Pipes and Stopcocks


Sinn Féin councillor Henry Cremin has called upon the City Council to assess the status of service pipes and stopcocks providing water to houses across the city in the wake of the big freeze, to ensure they are buried deep enough to avoid freezing in a repeat of the severe weather.

Cllr Cremin said:

“During the recent severe weather I was inundated with calls from people who were left without water because the service pipes or stopcocks providing water to their homes had frozen. Frequently this was the case because builders had neglected to place the pipes at the recommended depth to avoid freezing.”

“The City Council is responsible for the maintenance and repair of service pipes giving access to the homes of Council tenants. It is not responsible for those on private property, but I believe it should at the minimum provide advice to homeowners worried that their service pipes may be buried at an insufficient depth.”

“In the wake of the big freeze the council should now review its records of emergency calls to identify homes where service pipes or stopcocks froze and left householders without water. Where these are council properties it should ensure the pipes are either reburied at greater depth or insulated to prevent freezing. In the case of private households, the council should advise householders about the measures they should take to address the problem.”

“Particularly in the case of newer homes, where builders are found to have neglected to bury service pipes and stopcocks at the recommended depth, the householders should have legal redress.”

For further information or comment contact Cllr Henry Cremin 086-2662874