Uisce Éireann crews working across to restore water supplies

11,500 premises without water serving 31,000 people as of Tuesday.

Uisce Éireann crews are on the ground across Co Cavan working to restore water supplies.

Following Storm Éowyn, power outages affected Cavan’s eight water treatment plants with power loss at pumping stations also impacting water supplies across the county.

Approximately 31,000 customers are without water as of lunchtime on Tuesday, and a further are 56,000 at risk.

Some 169,000 customers have had their water supply restored since the storm with generators now in place at most sites where they can be connected.

Customers supplied by the Belturbet Public Water Supply Scheme (approximately 2,159) are currently facing a Boil Water Notice, expected to last several days at least.

Alternative water supplies, supplied by Uisce Éireann and Group Water Schemes, are in place.

Locations include:

Mullagh – Heritage Centre

Dowra Mart

Bawnboy – Kildallan GAA Club

Belturbet – Centra

Cootehill – White Horse Hotel

Kingscourt – Supervalu

Ballinagh – Community Playground

Ballyjamesduff – St. Clare’s College (currently being refilled)

Ballyhaise – St. Mary’s Church

Bailieborough - Main Street

Swanlinbar – Main Street

Mountainlodge – Carrickallen Church

Consumers are reminded to use their own containers when taking water from tankers and to boil water before consumption as a precautionary measure.

In Moynalty, power has been restored to the water treatment plant and it is now back in operation. Alternative water supplies in the form of pallets of bottled water are available outside the Credit Union to serve the village and the rural hinterland. A static water tanker is also available in Moynalty and will remain in place for as long as it is required. Pallets of bottled water have also been dispatched to nearby Kilbeg and a further alternative water supply is available in Carlanstown.

The majority of the 11,200 Uisce Éireann customers supplied by Kilkitt Water Treatment Plant (Lough Egish Regional Water Supply) will see their supply return to normal levels tonight however the Boil Water Notice on the supply remains in place.

Water supplies are returning to Latton, Rockcorry, Lough Egish, Castleblaney, Clontibret and Anyalla and most other areas.

In Longford alternative water supplies remain in place at the following locations:

• Cathedral carpark, Longford Town

• Tesco carpark, Longford Town

• Library carpark, Edgeworthstown

• The Mart, Ballymahon,

• The village carpark, Aughnacliffe,

• Carpark behind Garda Station, Granard

• Carpark beside the Bridge, Lanesboro

“The sector has been significantly impacted,” said the council spokesperson. “Some group water schemes are still without power, which is limiting their ability to operate treatment plants and to provide water to members. As electricity power returns in affected areas, group water schemes are continuing their efforts to return to full operations.”

Updates on the location of these alternative water supplies and other supply updates are available on the Uisce Éireann website and customers can also contact Uisce Éireann directly on 1800 278 278.

Head of Water Operations at Uisce Éireann Margaret Attridge noted that while positive progress had been made overnight, the number of people now experiencing loss of supply due to power outages may increase as reservoir levels drop.

“This unprecedented storm event has had a severe impact on our water and wastewater network nationwide. Our crews are on the ground in all impacted areas working to restore water service as quickly as possible but given the extent of the damage to the power network, it may take some time before full service is restored everywhere. We ask for the public’s continued patience during this challenging time.

“In locations where water supplies have been impacted for longer periods, we are deploying alternative water supplies. Details of these supplies and their locations will be posted across our website and social media channels as they become available,” she added.

Margaret is also urging customers to conserve water where possible in order to protect supply while the outages are resolved. There are some simple steps people can take to conserve their water, such as avoiding the use of water-intensive appliances during this time.

To learn more about conserving water, visit www.water.ie/conserve.

Customers can stay informed about their local water supply by visiting www.water.ie, via Uisce Éireann’s X feed, @IWCare, or by signing up for our free text alert service via the website. Alternatively get in touch via our 24/7 customer care centre at 1800 278 278.