Customers in Killenaule advised of essential nighttime restrictions to help reservoir levels recover
Irish Water, working in partnership with Tipperary County Council, advise customers in Killenaule and surrounding areas that essential nighttime restrictions are required tonight to help the Killenaule Reservoir levels recover. The restrictions are necessary following a noticeable increase in water usage on the Fethard Regional Scheme.
To help reservoir levels recover and maintain a sufficient water supply to homes and businesses during normal working hours, water supply will be restricted from 8pm tonight, Tuesday, 20 December until 7am tomorrow morning. The following locations will experience reduced water pressure or full disruption to their supply: Killenaule town, Ballynunty, Glengoole, Gortnahue, Knockboy, Kilrush, Ballysloe, Mellison, Bord na Mona factory road and all surrounding areas. It can take two to three hours following restrictions for normal supply to be fully restored to all areas.
Operations Lead with Irish Water, Colin Cunningham, asked the public to continue their efforts to conserve water and check for leaks.
“Irish Water understands the inconvenience the restrictions may cause. The nighttime restrictions are necessary to ensure a daytime water supply is available for residents and businesses for hygiene and other essential purposes. During the daytime, we are appealing to customers to help conserve water by not running taps needlessly, taking showers instead of baths and to postpone using dishwashers and washing machines where possible. Irish Water crews are on the ground, working in partnership with Tipperary County Council, to maintain supply and we are asking customers to turn off taps and check for leaks. Further information on water conservation is available on our website at www.water/conserve.”
The sub-zero temperatures of last week increased the number of frozen water pipes and bursts, causing increased demand on water supplies across the region. Freezing water expands and strains the pipes until they crack or burst, not only impacting older, weakened pipes but also modern pipes that are laid in shallow ground and vulnerable to temperature drops.
Colin appealed to customers to do their bit to help avoid expensive repairs and a disrupted water supply at home or in their business by taking a few easy, preventative measures.
It is essential to continue the regular maintenance of your property and check premises for leaks. It also a good idea to familiarise yourself with your own internal water system and particularly how to turn off your supply at the stopcock so that you can protect your property in the event of a burst pipe.
Customer can report leaks on the public network on our website www.water.ie or by calling our customer team on 1800 278 278.
The Irish Water Customer Care Team is also available to help 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and there is lots of advice on being winter ready on Twitter @IrishWater.
MORE DETAILED ADVICE
What to do if you have a burst pipe:
A burst pipe can cause serious damage to your home so it is important to take action as soon as possible.
Limit the damage
• Turn off the water supply as instructed above
• Drain the system by turning on all the cold water taps and flushing the toilets
• Switch off the central heating and immersion. If you use solid fuel, let it die out
• When the water heating is completely off, turn on the hot taps to further drain the system
• If water from a burst pipe is leaking near any sockets, switches or appliances, switch off the mains if it is safe to do so. If the switch is wet, do not touch it, instead call a qualified electrician
• If you have a shared water supply e.g., if you live in an apartment complex, ensure you have access to the stop cock. This is usually located where the water supply enters the building
• Check with your neighbours that turning off the water has not affected their supply
Get it repaired
• You can make a temporary repair to a burst pipe by binding it tightly with a cloth or tape.
• Replace this as soon as possible by a permanent repair, carried out by a qualified and registered plumber.
• Ensure your hot water system is refilled BEFORE you switch back on your immersion or boiler.
To report a leak please contact Irish Water on 1800 278 278 or report online via our dedicated page.
On the Farm
There are a number of ways to turn off water in buildings or areas not currently in use on the farm; it can be done by turning off the mains at the stopcock or closing the valve alongside the meter in the boundary box.
While premises or outbuildings are unoccupied, it is even more important to regularly check buildings for leaks both inside and outside and to fix any external dripping taps as the water can freeze on the ground with the potential to cause slips and falls. If you are looking for further advice or support to assist in the maintenance of your water system, there are privately-operated commercial water services and leak detection businesses which offer a range of support services.
We also have dedicated conservation advice for the agriculture sector for both Summer and Winter here https://www.water.ie/
