Only use water for essential needs over weekend warns Uisce Eireann as works begin

 This Friday night, Uisce Éireann is starting critical and complex repair works to a major pipeline that supplies one-third of the Greater Dublin Area’s (GDA) drinking water.

These planned essential works will safeguard water supply for the GDA.

The water running through this major pipeline will be turned off to facilitate these works.

Uisice Eireann said “we are appealing to customers in Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow to only use water for essential needs to help maintain everyone’s water supply during the critical repair works this bank holiday weekend.

Uisce Éireann has prepared for these critical repair works by ensuring all treated water reservoirs in the Greater Dublin Area are as full as possible, and are carrying out the works during the August Bank Holiday weekend when there is usually a lower demand for water. However, there is still a risk that customers in Dublin and parts of Kildare and Wicklow may experience interruptions to their water supply including low pressure, discoloured water, or water outages.

Head of Water Operations at Uisce Éireann, Margaret Attridge, said: “This major pipeline can only be shut down for up to 28 hours before the water storage levels become too low, which could lead to widespread supply disruption. Therefore, the specialist repair crews have a very tight deadline to finish the repairs and refill the pipeline with water. We will work through the day and night this weekend to complete these essential works as quickly and safely as possible.

“We are asking for the public’s help to maintain water levels in the reservoirs for as long as possible; for this weekend we are appealing to everyone to act together and only use water for essential needs. Please hold off on filling baths, car washing, power hosing, window washing, filling paddling pools and anything that is not vital. Reducing your water use will help maintain or extend water supply during the repairs, for yourself and, importantly, for vulnerable and high-risk users including hospitals and care homes.”

Declan Healy, Programme Manager at Uisce Éireann, explained the complexity of the works. “We have extensively planned and prepared for carrying out these complex works over the last 9 months and are moving into the final stages before the repair begins tomorrow (Friday) night.

“Specialist teams are ready to go inside the pipeline to repair five active leaks using bespoke methods, while another team will remove 35 metres of worn-out pipeline and install a new section of pipe.”

The situation on the ground will be monitored closely. Uisce Éireann will keep customers updated on the location(s) and duration of any prolonged impacts including supply disruptions.

Following this type of work, occasionally issues such as cloudy water (air bubbles) or internal airlocks may arise. For advice on how to resolve these issues, please visit www.water.ie/help/supply/after-an-outage/.

The Uisce Éireann customer care helpline is also open 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and customers can also contact them on Twitter @IWCare with any queries. Uisce Éireann has a free text service, providing real-time updates for local issues. Customers can sign up with their Eircode and mobile number at the text alerts page.

For updates and a live interactive map please visit the Water Supply Updates section of www.water.ie.

Uisce Éireann acknowledges the inconvenience caused by interruptions to water supply and thanks communities for their patience and cooperation while we deliver these essential works.