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# More Water
No pipes have been stolen from Irish Water, but disruption is 'unavoidable'
Many people have had access to their streets or driveways impacted, but Irish Water says this can’t be helped.
IRISH WATER HAS confirmed that measures are taken to protect the pipe network, but added that there is nothing that can be done about driveways being blocked and equipment being left on streets.
In recent years, the price of copper has risen, making copper piping a target for scrap thieves. With so much excavation to install water meters, there had been some worry that thieves would target the pipe network.
However, Irish Water has moved to assure the public that there have been no reports of any thefts.
“The contractors are responsible for the safety and security of the works. The contractor backfills the excavation each evening and then permanently reinstates it within three working days therefore underground pipes are not exposed.
“Irish Water has not received any reports regarding the theft of any underground pipework to date.”
Problems had also been raised with contractors blocking access to driveways and streets, with construction equipment being left on roads.
Irish Water says that some works may block driveways or footpaths, but that this cannot be helped.
“This is unavoidable, but Irish Water is committed to keeping this disruption to a minimum and to ensuring that safe pedestrian access is kept to and from people’s homes while work is carried out.
“There may be instances where access to driveways are blocked overnight to ensure that reinstatement is carried out to the highest level and to allow for the concrete to dry fully and that this is done in accordance with all relevant Health and Safety requirements.”
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