Residents in a County Limerick housing estate have voiced fears over the re-routing of their water supply through an old asbestos pipeline.

Brookville Avenue in Clareview on the north side of the city was left without water last week due to a burst pipe in the supply.

Irish Water has re-routed the supply through an old asbestos cement pipe while the issue is being fixed; however, residents are concerned over the quality of the water from the old pipe.

Sinn Féin Councillor Sharon Benson. Image: Facebook

On Lunchtime Live this afternoon, Sinn Féin Councillor Sharon Benson said she raised the issue with Irish Water and was told there is no evidence that asbestos in drinking water poses a health risk.

“Obviously, the residents are just concerned to hear about asbestos piping,” she said.

“It is alarming because asbestos is known as a carcinogenic and that creates concern and panic in people when they hear that.

“We are being told that drinking the water has no health impact – that asbestos fibres are only hazardous when they become airborne.

“The point that was raised with me was about our washing machines. Our clothes are being washed with this water and in the drying process then, when the water is evaporating, with asbestos fibres left behind, is there a risk that they can become airborne at that stage?

“I have put that question to Irish Water and as of yet, I haven’t received a response.”

Cllr Benson said the quality of the water coming from the asbestos pipes is “absolutely shocking,” with residents forces to run the tap for long periods to get clear supply.

She said local representatives have been urging Irish Water to upgrade the piping system in the area for the last four years.

“They have to replace these pipes,” she said. “Going back to old defunct asbestos pipelines is just going backwards. It is bringing us back to the last century. We have to be moving forward.

In a statement, Irish Water said crews rerouted water in the network with supply was restored for the majority of residents within two hours.

It said it regrets any inconvenience caused and is focused on improving service and reducing leaks across the country by replacing old and damaged water pipes.