Water warning as usage now 15% more than normal

A warning that Meath County Council might have to restrict water supplies in the county because of the snow crisis was delivered by a council official on Monday who said that water usage was running 10-15 per cent above normal levels. Brendan McGrath told a meeting of Meath County Council he was advising the public that the situation “is getting serious†and there was an urgent need to conserve water supplies. Householders who leave their taps running to prevent pipes from freezing have been asked not to do so as the water supply situation becomes more serious. He added that the Dublin local authority was expected to impose water restrictions this week and this was expected to have a knock-on effect on other counties, including Meath. At a council meeting on Monday, councillors were lavish in their praise for council staff in their efforts to grit roads throughout the county. Cllr Nick Killian said that while there would always be complaints about side roads not being gritted, he felt that council staff had done a “tremendous†job. There had also been excellent communications between council staff and councillors, who then had information available for members of the public. Cllr Noel Leonard said he was very impressed by what had been done by the council. “They did a magnificent job,†he said. There had also been assistance from the Army and this had been very much appreciated in Dunboyne and surrounding areas. Cllr Catherine Yore said she, too, was very impressed by the work undertaken by all council staff, while Cllr John Farrelly said that, in thanking the staff for their efforts, he would include the Civil Defence whose members had done huge work in caring for elderly people during the cold weather. One of the singular things that had come out of the crisis was people's willingness to help each other. He also said that the decision to leave grit and chippings in various areas for the use of the public was a good thing. However, it had to be said that health and safety “has gone mad†when people were not allowed to help each other because of these concerns. “Our parents and those before them did everything they could to help each other without a thought for themselves,†he said. Cllr Brian Fitzgerald complimented council staff who worked night and day to help out during the crisis. Unfortunately, he said, the work might not be over because of the forecasts that this kind of weather could last until February. Cllr Jimmy Cudden said that, as one who had been critical about aspects of the handling of the situation during snowfalls and freezing temperatures last January, he joined with his colleagues in congratulating all of the council staff for their work during the present crisis. Cllr Regina Doherty said she had been in business for 20 years and she thought there was nobody who could hold a candle to the staff of Meath County Council in terms of efficiency. “I'm very grateful for what they did in my area,†she said. Cathaoirleach Cllr Ann Dillon Gallagher said council staff had done “Trojan workâ€, saying she could not speak highly enough of them. County manager Tom Dowling said that it was extremely gratifying to hear such comments from councillors. It was very important to get encouragement and positive support like this. The council's severe weather management group was meeting on an ongoing basis to monitor the situation and co-ordinate activities. Road gritting had been carried out in accordance with a schedule agreed some time ago. “We would like to do more but the roads we said would be done have been done,†he said. Mr Dowling complimented all the members of the council staff for their work, and added his praise for Meath Civil Defence and voluntary groups helping out in the current situation. He said he was “delighted†with the support extended by community and voluntary groups.