Crews working to restore water supply for customers on Coalbrook Public Water Supply Scheme

12 May 2023

Information below is relevant until further updates are provided here or on our Supply and Service Updates section.

Uisce Éireann is working with Tipperary County Council to restore water as quickly as possible to impacted customers on the Coalbrook Public Water Supply Scheme, following a large leak on the network which has significantly reduced the water level in the storage reservoir. 

Whilst every effort is being made to maintain supply, customers may experience temporary, intermittent low pressure and/or water outages particularly at higher elevations of the network.

Alternative water supplies have been arranged and will be located at Earlshill and Kilbraugh. Customers are reminded to use their own containers when taking water from the tanker and to boil water before consumption as a precautionary measure.

Dedicated leak detection crews have mobilised, and leak repairs will be conducted once identified. It typically it takes two to three hours following repairs for full supply to restore to all customers affected by a water supply outage as reservoir storage levels replenish. 

Colin Cunningham, Uisce Éireann, commented: “We understand the inconvenience an outage can have on customers, and we appreciate your patience as we work to return normal water supply as quickly as possible. In addition to the large leak, we are experiencing water shortages due to reduced water availability from our sources. Tankering to the reservoir has commenced in order to return and maintain a supply to all customers. It is anticipated that supply will return to all customers by Sunday, 14 May." 

Coin added: “We are appealing to customers to conserve water, to be mindful of their water usage, as a small reduction by everyone can collectively make a major difference to supply. Uisce Éireann is undertaking works on the sources to increase the capacity and we are progressing long-term solutions to address supply issues for this scheme. However, during the summer, during times of high demand or following bursts or large leaks, some customers may experience intermittent supply and/or reduced water pressure.”

Vulnerable customers who have registered with Uisce Éireann receive direct communications from us for planned and unplanned outages lasting more than four hours.

Uisce Éireann understands the inconvenience when an outage occurs and thanks customers for their patience while we work to restore normal supply to impacted customers. The Uisce Éireann customer care helpline is open 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and customers can also contact us on Twitter @IWCare with any queries. For updates please visit the Supply and Service Updates section of the Uisce Éireann website.