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Frozen or Damaged Pipes

January 27 2010

To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if an analysis has been carried out on the reason so many pipes leading into homes froze or cracked during the recent cold spell; if statistics exist regarding the percentage of damaged pipes that froze due to inadequate insulation, even though regulations provide for mandatory insulation of such pipework; if there are plans to provide funding to local authorities for retrofitting such pipes with insulation in view of the fact that it might save money in areas where large amounts of water were lost as a result of related issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Standard construction contracts provide for the laying of local authority water mains at depths that provide for sufficient natural insulation cover. However, the movement of earth that can arise following a thaw from a prolonged cold weather spell can, and did, lead to burst mains.

There is a need to sustain our efforts in the provision of water services infrastructure and, in particular, the replacement and rehabilitation of older or damaged mains. A greater focus on such works will be a key priority of the Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2012, which I expect to publish early this year.

As to insulation standards for service pipes and other cold water services to homes, as stated in reply to Question Number 19 of 21 January 2010, my Department’s policy guidance in relation to Taking in Charge of Residential Estates requires planning authorities to adopt construction standards for residential developments that are acceptable to the planning authority for taking in charge and long-term maintenance and states that it should be a condition of planning permission that such standards be adhered to.

The guidance also states that the construction standards adopted by planning authorities should at a minimum comply with those set out in my Department’s Recommendations for Site Development Works for Housing Areas, which recommend standards for the diameter of pipes and the amount of cover, and make other relevant recommendations including a recommendation that watermain pipe size and layout should be designed in consultation with the local authority.

Technical Guidance Document G of the Building Regulations (Hygiene) provides that, in regard to bathrooms and kitchens in dwellings, the cisterns, service pipe and fittings and any associated cold water pipes should be adequately protected against damage by frost.

My Department’s Taking in Charge Guidance also states that it is necessary for the planning authority to satisfy itself, when the developer of a residential estate has ceased construction or notified
the planning authority that construction is complete, or after the planning permission has expired, that the development is properly completed in line with the planning permission and, where it is not properly completed, to take early and effective enforcement action.

Where an estate has yet to be taken in charge, the repair of a burst water main is a matter for the developer.

There are no statistics in relation to the number of water pipes that burst due to lack of insulation. I have no plans to provide funding for the retrofitting of such insulation.

Posted in Dáil Questions

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