Overnight Water Restrictions Imposed In Parts Of Westmeath

It's due to low levels in the public water supply scheme. 

Overnight water restrictions will be in place in parts of Westmeath for the next two nights. 

Irish Water says they'll be required between 11pm to 6am on Wednesday morning and from 11pm on Wednesday 21 July until 6am on Thursday morning.

The areas affected include Castlepollard, Delvin, Raharney, Coole, Drumcree, Whitehall, Bracklyn and surrounding areas. 

It's due to low levels in the public water supply scheme. 

Irish Water Statement:

Irish Water, working in partnership with Westmeath County County Council, wishes to advise customers supplied by Castlepollard Low Level Public Water Supply Scheme of night time restrictions due to increased demand and a drop in reservoir levels.

The restrictions will be in place tonight Tuesday 20 July from 11pm to 6am on Wednesday morning and from 11pm on Wednesday 21 July until 6am on Thursday morning.

Customers are reminded that it may take 2-3 hours for normal water supply to return to all customers following restoration time but it is important to continue to follow the HSE guidance on hand-washing. The areas affected include Castlepollard, Delvin, Raharney, Coole, Drumcree, Whitehall, Bracklyn and surrounding areas.

Customers on the Castlepollard High Level Scheme (Collinstown & Fore) and customers on the Low Level Scheme served by the Ballinlough and Brownstown Reservoirs, including Clonmellon, Archerstown & Crowenstown,  will not be affected.

The night time restrictions are essential to ensure homes and businesses have sufficient supply during the daytime.

Irish Water understands the inconvenience of these restrictions and is working closely with our Local Authority partners to ensure there is uninterupted supply during daytime hours.

Customers registered as vulnerable on this supply are being contacted. With a high-temperature weather advisory issued across the country, Irish Water is continuing to urge the public to conserve water to ensure a consistent supply for all during this busy time. Irish Water is continuing to see significant levels of domestic and commercial demand for water as temperatures remain high and the public are asked to take some simple measures to conserve water in their homes,  businesses and on farms.

Irish Water has been carefully monitoring all of its raw water sources, that is the water from lakes, rivers, springs and ground sources that feed our water treatment plants.  

As rivers, lakes and groundwater levels reduce through the summer and autumn period, there is less water available for supply, while at the same time the warmer weather gives rise to increased water demands for domestic, agricultural and leisure uses.

John Gavin, Irish Water, said: “While we should conserve water all year round, with the warm weather continuing and demand staying high we are appealing to Westmeath customers to conserve water for essential use only in the home, in the garden, at work and on the farm, especially over the coming weeks.

By conserving water now we can help protect supplies of water in areas that are in drought or at risk of drought as we move into late Summer.

“There are lots of helpful tips for conserving water on water.ie but the key things are to leave the hose and the pressure washer in the shed; don’t use paddling pools; reuse household water for the garden; and take shorter showers.

Safeguarding the supply of water is essential at this time when handwashing and hygiene is of critical importance. We are calling on everyone to play their part.”

Conserving water is something that we should be doing year round, not just when supplies come under pressure due to drought conditions and seasonal increases in demand. Small changes can have lasting results.

For example:

- Take a shorter shower and save up to 10 litres of water per minute

- Fix dripping taps or leaking toilets in your home

- When brushing your teeth or shaving, turn off the tap and save up to 6 litres of water per minute

- Save and reuse water collected from baths, showers, and hand basins in the garden

- Avoid using paddling pools

- In the garden use a rose head watering can instead of a hose and aim for the roots

- If you need to wash your car, use a bucket and sponge instead of a hose

- Report any leaks to Irish Water at 1800 278 278.

Irish Water continues to work at this time with our Local Authority partners, contractors and others to safeguard the health and well-being of staff and the public and to ensure the continuity of drinking water and wastewater services. With the continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic, the public are reminded to adhere to public health and HSE advice, and handwashing and hygiene remain critically important.

Further water conservation information is available on the Irish Water website www.water.ie/conserve.