Contractor strikes water main causing local flooding

SPRINGFIELD residents have voiced their concern over the rapid development of residential units in the area and the resulting strain on infrastructure following an incident involving what seemed to be a burst water main.

Earlier this week, videos were circulated by locals depicting a substantial amount of water flowing from a hole in a green area in Springfield, with a digger sitting nearby.

The water pooled out onto nearby residential roads and created a large flood which reached the end of several driveways but did not reach any homes, and no damage to property was reported.

According to Irish Water’s website, disruptions were caused to the water supply to Killinarden Heights, Knockmore Crescent, Whitestown Drive, Whitestown Way, Dalepark Road, Kilcarrig Green, Rossfield Grove, Lanndale Lawns, Fortunestown Way, Alderwood Avenue, Tallaght and surrounding areas.

Water supply was reinstated around approximately 10 pm, with repairs continuing well into the early hours of October 20.

In the wake of this incident, residents have come forward with their concerns, as they believe it is related to the construction of housing developments, as several apartment blocks have been constructed in recent years.

One resident told The Echo that many of their concerns relate to the rate at which these developments are being built and whether there is a lack of attention being paid to factors such as parking, sewerage and water supply.

She spoke about residents’ objections to the construction of high-rise apartment blocks, which did not impact the construction, followed by further concerns regarding the lack of parking incorporated into the plans.

Springfield residents came to accept the developments, but following this recent incident, reservations have been shared regarding the communication between developers and construction workers after such an avoidable mistake was made.

She reiterated the sense of relief that it was not a sewage pipe or a gas supply that was hit but questioned the competence of those involved in the construction, particularly those higher up.

“It’s not the lads at the bottom that are out there in the cold and the wet; it’s who’s up at the top that didn’t give them the proper lines to dig. Where did the mistake come from that they hit this main, and if they make a mistake like that, will there be any more mistakes?

“We are so glad it wasn’t a sewage pipe that was hit, and we didn’t end up with loads of sewage coming through [the estate].”

Uisce Éireann told The Echo that a “third party strike by a contractor working for a nearby building site” caused damage to a Uisce Éireann water main adjacent to Tallaght Hospital.

According to an employee at Tallaght Hospital, their water supply was thankfully not affected.

Following the incident, water supply was maintained by Uisce Éireann crews who worked quickly to isolate the affected areas of the network and establish “alternative supply routes to maintain water supply, where possible.”

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