Thousands of homes still without water

Thousands of homes across the country are expected to be without water or facing serious restrictions in the days ahead.

The restrictions have been introduced in order to restore reservoir levels in the worst affected areas.

Local authorities are mobilising crews to fix burst water mains caused by the thaw.

In the capital, Dublin City Council is sending water tankers to areas with limited water supplies.

The Council said the widespread water restrictions in the capital began at 6pm and will run until midday tomorrow.

Many residents have been without water since the thaw began on St Stephen’s Day.

Local authorities in Dublin say they are closely monitoring water levels in reservoirs on a regular basis and adapting supplies accordingly. The thaw has led to the loss of 130 million litres in storage.

Fingal county council described it as the 'worst two day event on record'.

Members of the public are urged to report leaks to 01 679 6186.

Cork City Council says it will be continuing overnight water restrictions from 7pm to 10am.

It has set up stand pipes at Boreenamanna Road (east of the junction of Wallace Avenue), Deerpark, Commons Road (Blackpool Church), Old Youghal Road (By Collins Barracks) and Old Youghal Road (by Glenamoy Lawn).

Other areas across the country badly affected include parts of counties Clare, Limerick, Laois and Offaly.

Clare County Council says water supplies will be cut off in a number of areas as demand is exceeding supply. An emergency number - 087 4169496 - is in operation until 9.30am tomorrow.

Water tankers will be in operation at various locations around the county.

Meath County Council says the water supply to Dunboyne, Clonee, Kilcloone and surrounding areas has been severely disrupted.

It says water to those areas is supplied by Fingal County Council, but since early this afternoon no supply has been coming through to the Meath side.

More than 10,000 residents are thought to be affected.

Laois County Council says there is major disruption to water supplies, especially in Portlaoise, Portarlington and Mountmellick.

Water tankers have been made available in a number of locations in Portlaoise - At County Hall, Old Dunnes Stores, Fairgreen, swimming pool, St. Brigids Place and Meelick Water Scheme.

Tankers are also located at the swimming pool in Portarlington and at the MDA carpark in Mountmellick.

Kilkenny City Council says there is low pressure in many of the high areas of the city. It says it has made water available between 10am and 4pm at Gaol Road, Outside No 53/54 the Sycamores, Outside No 39 Shandon Park, Loughboy - Watershed car park and Glendine Heights.

The city council says that supply is returning to normal in Ballyragget, while burst water mains have been repaired in Graiguenamanagh and Callan.

An emergency call centre will operate today and tomorrow from 10am to 5pm on 056-7794145.

The local authority says Paulstown and Goresbridge villages will each have their supply turned off from 10.30pm until 7am to allow the reservoirs levels build up.

Westmeath County Council says water supplies have been restored to Athlone, however repairs are ongoing and supplies could be interrupted during the day without notice. It has made a tanker available at Athlone IT car park and stand pipes are available at a number of locations.

Outlets from reservoirs in the Athlone and Mullingar areas will be closed this evening. The county council also says a burst main in Kinnegad has been repaired but there may still be some disruption.

Leitrim County Council is continuing to experience problems with water supplies throughout the county. It says stand pipes are available to supply water from 11am to 2pm each day until further notice.

The council has set up a hotline number for people needing urgent assistance on 1890 302 302 or 071 9620005.

Due to low water supplies in its reservoirs, Longford county council turned off water supplies in Longford town at 8pm this evening. Supply will be restored at 8am tomorrow.

In Sligo, demand for water doubled over the past 24 hours in some parts.

The council there have said public adherence to night time restrictions is leading to day time supplies.

A major water burst on a Roscommon water main has also resulted in disruption to supply to Gurteen and Monasteraden, and the supply will not be restored until tomorrow.

Ongoing restrictions will apply in the following areas: Rathscanlon, Moylough, Curry, Ballymote, Gurteen, Skreen, Easkey, Rathlee, Enniscrone, Culleens, Corballa, Strandhill, Ballintogher, Mullaghmore, Maugherow, Moneygold, Collooney, Ballisodare and Aughamore.

Mayo County Council has appealed to people to conserve water as supplies remain under pressure due to the high number of taps which people have left running to avoid freezing pipes.

In Limerick arrangements are being made to provide alternative water supplies to the towns of Abbeyfeale and Newcastle West.

The council said due to a reduction in the amount of storage available in reservoirs, regular night-time restrictions in service can be expected until water levels are restored to normal.

In Kerry, water supplies are critically low and there are restrictions in much of the county, however in Tralee water supply was restored for a number of hours last night but cut off again overnight to allow water levels to rise.

Kerry County Council says it has 25 crews working to identify burst pipes and the areas worst affected include Kenmare Cahersiveen and Ballinskelligs in the south of the County.

Local authorities, including Kildare County Council and Cork City Council, are providing water at various locations throughout the day.

Offaly County Council has said that water may be shut off at any time to facilitate repairs and maintain reservoir levels. There are particular problems with the water supply for Tullamore.

Water tankers were available at a number of locations in the town until 4pm as well as a other locations throughout the county.

The Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government has asked property owners to check their premises for leaks.

It has also asked members of the public to report evidence of leaks on public mains to local authorities.

Meanwhile, homeowners in Northern Ireland are being urged to conserve water, as the ongoing thaw continues to cause disruption to water supplies in many areas.

A number of reservoirs remain at low levels and Northern Ireland Water says it is trying to recharge the water network and that customers may lose water supplies for a time.

The worst affected areas are in county Antrim - Belfast, Lisburn, Templepatrick, Crumlin, Newtownabbey and Antrim town.

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness and the Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy have visited flood-affected homes in Lurgan, Co Armagh.

Residents in the Shankill estate have expressed anger after sewage flooded through their homes early on St Stephen's Day.

It is understood the flood was caused by overflowing drains after snow and ice thawed.

For further information check your local council website

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