Irish Water Supply Problems Update

For an update of the current water supply problems facing water suppliers then you should search the relvant County Councils.  For Dublin these are:

• Dublin City Council 
• Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council
• Fingal County Council
• South Dublin County Council

The current situation in Dublin is not that there is insufficient water in its reservoirs but rather that burst pipes have caused an increase in demand to 624 ML per day while current supply capacity via its treatment plants is 550 ML per day leaving a shortfall of >70 ML  resulting in restrictions.

Ireland Facing Water Supply Crisis

Irish water suppliers are faced with further restricting water supplies throughout the country as the thaw sets in due to excessively high demand caused by burst pipes. Over 60 ML was lost last night from fractured mains in Dublin alone. Most seriously affected towns and cities include South Dublin, Cork city, Kilkenny, Athlone and Limerick.  Counties Wicklow, Kildare, Westmeath, Sligo  and Clare are also seriously affected.  For example, over 20,000 people in Tralee, Co. Kerry, are having water supplied on a phased basis only during the day as the local reservoirs are empty, with all supplies turned off during the night. Similar restictions are in place nationwide. Suppliers are also warning of curtailments to supplies as burst pipes are repaired and are calling for householders and businesses to conserve water to prevent further restrictions and interruptions in supplies.

Dublin Water Supplies Restricted Due to Cold Weather

Disruptions to water supplies to homes and businesses supplied by the greater Dublin water reservoirs, which includes the four Dublin local authorities and parts of Wicklow and Kildare, are set to continue until next week at least.  This is due to low levels in supply reservoirs caused by unprecedented demand caused by the very cold weather during the past two weeks .  With another cold spell forecast for the next six days many supply zones will be cut off from 7pm to 7am  while others will be subject to pressure reductions leading to a possible loss of water, especially to storage tanks.  The cuts have been rotated amongst the 19 City supply zones and those serving surburbs and outlying towns.  However, many businesses, especially restaurants and cafes are finding it hard to survive.

Ireland's Cold Weather Causes Water Shortages

Temperature plunge to -14 degree C in exposed areas

The extremely cold weather currently affecting Ireland has resulted in a massive increase in water demand, especially at night as people leave their taps running to prevent water pipes from freezing.  The days of intensely cold weather has increased demand by over 35% with many smaller supplies running dangerously short.  Householders are being urged to conserve water to avoid the prolonged water restrictions that followed a similar cold spell in January 2010, when water had to be rationed in Dublin for several months afterwards until reservoirs were sufficiently replenished.

Trinity College Dublin Closed Due to Cold Weather

Copyright Trinity College Dublin

Trinity College has been severely affected by the cold weather and will be closed this weekend to staff, students and visitors.  It is likely that activities will be significantly reduced over the coming week. 

Please check http://www.tcd.ie/  for updates.