Big Laois town's water supply hit by Storm Éown still has problems as Uisce Éireannappeals for 'patience'

Uisce Éireann has warned advised Mountmellick residents that a power cut may cause supply disruptions to while there is also a issue with the reservoir in the wake of Storm Éowyn

In an update on Storm repair work on Saturday, January 25, the water utility said water supply is disrupted in Acragar and surrounding areas of the Laois town. It said works are scheduled to take place until 4pm on 25 January.

Uisce Éireann recommends people to allow 3-4 hours after the estimated restoration time fo supply to fully return.

Meanwhile, the State company says a reservoir interruption could continue to supply disruptions to Mountmellick and surrounding areas. It said works were scheduled to take place until 5pm on 25 January.

The company said on the day the storm hit that power cuts at treatment plants and pumping stations continue to impact on supplies across the county, including: Mountmellick, Derrmoyle (Graigucullen) and parts of Portarlington.

As a result of Storm Éowyn the company said on Saturday that Daingean, Rhode and Walsh Island in Co Offaly just north of Portarlington were experiencing a disruption to their water supply.

Nationally, about 120,000 people across had no water following Storm Éowyn. An additional 150,000 people were  due to getgenerators from Uisce Éireann crews.

Supplies for a further 275,000 people are at risk in areas where power is yet to be restored.

The company said the impacts are being felt nationwide, with areas without water across the North West and in counties Kerry, Clare, Tipperary, Cavan, Monaghan, Longford and Laois. Updates on local supplies issues will be provided on the Uisce Éireann website, www.water.ie, as they become available.Uisce Éireann repair crews are on the ground across the country today, Janaury 25 working to restore supplies and are actively sourcing and deploying generators at sites where power has not been restored. 

Uisce Éireann say they are co-ordinating closely with the ESB to prioritise power restoration and are also liaising with other agencies including the National Emergency Co-ordination Group and local authorities.

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."

Ms Attridge urged 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 their free text alert service via the website.

Alternatively get in touch via our 24/7 customer care centre at 1800 278 278.