Uisce Éireann crews working to restore water supplies

Statement from Uisce Éireann, 2pm, Monday January 27

Uisce Éireann crews are on the ground across Westmeath continuing work to restore water supplies.

Water supply has been restored across Killucan, Rathwire, Kinnegad and Castletown Geoghan.

Following return of supply, it will take some time for normal supply to fully be restored to all areas as the water refills the network, especially for those on higher ground or at the end of the network. We are asking customers in these areas to conserve water as supply returns to allow local reservoirs to refill.

Power outages at pumping stations across the network continue to impact on supplies across the county this afternoon. Supply challenges are still being felt in areas fed from the Mullingar Regional Water Supply, including,

Gaybrook, Gainestown, Enniscoffey, Knockaville, Coralstown, Rathconrath, Kilpatrick and Bunbrosna.

Normal power supply has returned in Rathconrath, Kilpatrick and Bunbrosna which should see a return to supply today.

As the normal power supply has not been restored to the Gaybrook reservoir, a generator was fitted today, which will see supply returning. Alternative water supplies remain in place at the following locations:

· Milltownpass at the Mullingar Road junction

· Gainestown school car park

· Coralstown church

· Rathconrath

Customers are reminded to use their own containers when taking water from tankers. It must be boiled before consumption as a precautionary measure which we understand is a challenge at this time.

In the north of the county customers should be seeing return to normal supply in Archerstown, Mulliganstown, Castlepollard, Delvin, Whitehall, Drumacree, Raharney, and Mabestown.

The supply to the Coole area continues has been impacted by power issues. However, normal supply should be returning from today. An alternative water supply is in place in Coole village.

Uisce Éireann, gead of Operations, Magaret Attridge, thanked crews who are working tirelessly to restore supply and also asked the public to be mindful of their water use.

“Our crews are working in challenging conditions to restore water to as many homes as possible and I’d like to thank them for their ongoing efforts. Our priority is the provision of clean safe drinking water to communities and the safety of water services staff who work to make that happen.

“We are also asking people to conserve water in the coming days to help us manage water across the network”, she continued.

“Conserving water at home and at work can help safeguard water supplies for as many people as possible, especially for our vulnerable customers and essential services such as hospitals and nursing homes.

Maragret also thanked local communities - “we would like to thank residents and businesses for their patience and understanding while crews worked to restore supply”.

Uisce Éireann continue to coordinate with other agencies to restore normal water supplies as quickly as possible. Once power is returned to an area it may take some time for normal water supply to be restored. Customers can go to www.water.ie and enter their address for details of localised issues and estimated restoration times.”

Uisce Éireann’s customer care team is available to help 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and customers can also contact us on X @IWCare with any queries.

Uisce Éireann has also launched a free text service, providing real-time updates for local issues. Customers can sign up with their Eircode and mobile number at water.ie.

Vulnerable customers who have registered with Uisce Éireann receive direct communications from us for planned and unplanned outages lasting more than four hours.