Uisce Éireann appeal to homes and businesses in the Greater Dublin Area to check for leaks as the recent cold spell has led to a surge in demand for water
Uisce Éireann and Local Authorities in the Greater Dublin Area are asking homes and businesses to check for leaks and to conserve water where possible whilst adhering to public health advice on hand washing and hygiene regarding Covid-19. We are asking people to do this in order to reduce overall demand for drinking water. There has been a steady increase in demand over the Christmas period spiking in the past few days following the recent cold spell that saw sub-zero temperatures over a number of days.
Following freezing temperatures and the subsequent thaw the public water network has experienced a higher than normal volume of bursts. Uisce Éireann in partnership with our Local Authority partners are working to repair these bursts as quickly as possible in line with Covid-19 protocols in order to ensure continuity of supply. While these essential repairs are underway across the GDA we are asking customers to check for leaks, be mindful of their water use and to only use what they need.
Speaking about the current water supply situation in the GDA, Tom Cuddy, Head of Operations, Uisce Éireann, said: "Uisce Éireann working with the Local Authorities are currently addressing bursts across the network but we are also appealing to homes, businesses and those responsible for unoccupied buildings to check for leaks whilst adhering to current public health regulations and advice, and to turn off water where it's not needed. We ask that they check outside pipes in particular that can become frozen and burst during periods of cold weather and report leaks they see on the public network to us. We are also asking the public to conserve water where possible and to only use what they need whilst continuing to adhere to public health advice on hand washing and hygiene regarding COVID-19. We have seen demand creeping up in recent weeks, spiking over the past few days. Safe, clean, treated water is not in unlimited supply and we all have to play a part in conserving it for essential use."
Simple water conservation efforts can have a big impact on reducing demand on the supply such as taking showers over baths and fixing dripping taps where it is possible to do so. We are also reminding people with responsibility for properties that are currently unoccupied to check for leaks and turn off water where it is not required whilst adhering to public health regulations and advice. There are lots more tips on how to conserve water in your home, business or school on the Water Conservation section of our website.
Uisce Éireann continues to work at this time, with our Local Authority partners, contractors and others to safeguard the health and well-being of both staff and the public and to ensure the continuity of critical drinking water and wastewater services and would like to remind the public to continue to follow public health advice on handwashing and hygiene during the global health pandemic.
To report a leak please contact Uisce Éireann on 1800 278 278.
