WATER LEVELS at reservoirs across the State are reaching critically low levels as the thaw sets in, causing cracks to water mains and pipes in private property.
The demand for water in Dublin rose from 548 million litres on Christmas Day to 610 million litres on St Stephen’s Day, a volume which is far beyond the city and county’s production capacity. Dublin’s water plants can produce about 560 million litres of drinking water per day.
When water cuts were introduced in early December, demand in the capital had reached a height of about 575 million litres per day. At that time householders wasting water were partially blamed for the jump in usage. This time the strain on the system is almost entirely due to broken pipes and mains, a spokesman for Dublin City Council said.
“We are mobilising the maximum number of crews to deal with burst pipes. We have had four repair crews and six leak-detection crews out in all parts of the city dealing with the breaks to water mains.”
The cuts and restrictions to supply imposed between 7pm and 7am in the period before Christmas are being extended to cover 6pm to 9am to try and affect a recovery at the greater Dublin reservoirs.
A list of water systems being shut down and with reduction in pressure is available on dublincity.ie. The restrictions will be in place until tomorrow morning at the earliest, but it is likely they will be continued until the leakages can be brought under control. Areas not on the restricted list could still suffer a loss of supply due to burst pipes, the council spokesman warned.
South Dublin County Council has shut down water supplies in Lucan and North Clondalkin until further notice. Large parts of Kildare and Wicklow, which are also supplied by the greater Dublin reservoirs, will also be subject to shut down or restriction.
Kerry County Council, has cut water supplies to more than 20,000 people in and around Tralee due to low levels at the reservoirs that supply the town. The council said it may need to cut off water over the next number of nights.
Supplies in Limerick have been disrupted in and around Abbeyfeale and also in Ballyneety and Caherconlish as the result of major water main bursts, and further disruption throughout the county is likely.
Westmeath County Council said it may be necessary to implement emergency shut-offs without warning in order to ensure reservoir levels are maintained and to facilitate repairs.
Water tankers are being deployed to some areas and residents are advised to boil the water before drinking.
Several local authorities are making hydrant standpipes available for use, including Kilkenny and Cork city councils.
