John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

The problem of frozen or burst water pipes in residential settings was raised with my Department following the onset two months ago of sustained low temperatures across the country.

My Department's recommendations for site development works for housing areas, recommend, among other things, that water mains pipes should have a standard minimum cover of 900 mm and that water mains pipe size and layout should be designed in consultation with the local authority. Provision for a standard minimum cover of 900 mm will ensure that water mains pipes are well below the frost level, which is 450 mm. In addition, technical guidance document G (Hygiene) of the building regulations 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 policy guidance on taking in charge of residential estates states that planning authorities must adopt construction standards for residential developments that are acceptable to the planning authority for taking in charge and long-term maintenance, and that it should be a condition of planning permission that such standards be adhered to. The guidance further 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.

Although I am satisfied that the appropriate policy measures are in place I have asked my Department to issue a circular letter to local authorities in order to remind them of their responsibilities in respect of this matter as outlined above.

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