Customers in North Kildare called on to conserve water as demand for treated water rises in warm weather

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

Uisce Éireann is asking customers across North Kildare to conserve water as increased use during the current spell of warm weather means supplies are being used faster than water can be treated.
While raw water sources remain stable, the exceptional level of demand in recent days is placing pressure on the treatment process. This means treated water is being used more quickly than it can be produced and stored at Allen Reservoir.

As a result, operations at the reservoir will be halted at approximately 6pm this evening (Saturday) to allow for levels to replenish. This will impact water supply to customers in Coill Dubh, Prosperous, Derrinturn, Kilmeage, Robertstown, Allenwood, and surrounding areas from this evening.

Supply is expected to resume from approximately 6am tomorrow morning (Sunday, 12 July) following the recommencement of operations at Allen Reservoir. It may take up to 12 hours for normal supply to return to all areas. Bottled water will be made available for vulnerable customers.

Alternative water supplies will be provided at the following locations from approximately 6pm this evening, Saturday, until 9pm tomorrow, Sunday at the following locations:

•    Prosperous National School, Curryhill, Naas (parking bays along front of school)
•    Aylmere Court, Kilmeage (near the Old Dispensary)
•    On the R403, Allenwood (parking bays adjacent to 120 / 120X Bus Stop)
•    Former Grand Canal Hotel, Robertstown, (large gravelled area to the east of the hotel)
•    St Conleth’s National School, Derrinturn, (parking bays along front of school)
•    The Village Arch Café, Coill Dubh, (close to the archway)

Uisce Éireann’s Eoghan Forristal has assured customers that every effort will be made to restore a full water supply as quickly as possible. 

“We understand the inconvenience that this outage may cause, and we thank customers for their support while we allow reservoir levels to replenish. We expect that normal supply will be returning to customers from approximately 6am onwards tomorrow morning (Sunday). We are also asking customers to reduce their usage across Co Kildare to give treated water reservoirs time to replenish. Even small changes, when taken across communities, can have a significant impact in maintaining supply for everyone. It’s not always obvious where to start, but simple actions at home and in the garden can make a real difference,” said Eoghan.

Tips to Conserve Water  
•    Drop the hose: Use a rose-head watering can over a hose or sprinkler. Aim for the roots. Water plants early or late in the day to limit evaporation. 
•    Take short showers instead of a bath: Reducing your shower time can save up to 10 litres of water per minute. A typical bath uses 80 litres 
•    Turn off the tap: Not running water while brushing your teeth or shaving can save up to 6 litres a minute. Keep a jug of water in the fridge for drinks. 
•    Fill up your appliances: Only run your washing machine and dishwasher when they have a full load 
•    Fix dripping taps: A single dripping tap can waste between 5,000 and 10,000 litres of water a year 
•    Use a basin in the sink: Use a basin when rinsing vegetables or washing dishes and reuse that water for your plants 
•    Clean the car with a sponge: When washing your car, avoid the hose and use a bucket and sponge instead. 
•    Install a water butt: Use it to collect rainwater from your gutters for gardening or washing the yard 
•    Pick plants wisely: Opt for low-water plants like lavender or olive trees. Established plants and lawns often don't need watering unless there's a drought 
•    Lock in moisture: Add bark or plant material to flower beds to prevent evaporation or use gel beads in pots to keep roots hydrated. 
 

Customers can also play their part by making small changes to reduce everyday water use. To access the water conservation calculator and find more water-saving advice, visit the Conservation section of our website.

The latest updates are available on the Uisce Éireann website and social media channels. Customers can also contact the customer care team, which is available 24/7, or sign up for free text alerts using their Eircode and mobile number.