Overnight restrictions remain in place in parts of Co Donegal as high demand continues

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

Uisce Éireann is continuing to manage water supplies across County Donegal as warm weather, sustained high demand, and a significant number of burst mains across the network continue to impact treated reservoir levels in some areas.

Restrictions remain necessary in a number of locations to protect daytime supplies and allow treated water reservoirs to recharge.

As part of these measures, overnight restrictions on some of the county’s water supplies will continue for the next seven days.

These include:

• Lough Mourne Water Supply Zone: Customers supplied in Crossroads, Convoy, Lifford, Raphoe, Rossgier areas may experience low pressure or supply disruptions between 8pm and 8am. 
• Gort an Choirce/ An Fál Carrach Water Supply: Overnight restrictions remain in place from 10pm to 7am and may result in supply disruptions for customers in Gort an Choirce, An Fál Carrach, Machaire Uí Rabhartaigh, Doire Chonaire and surrounding areas.
• Leitir Mhic an Bhaird Public Water Supply: To help reservoirs with treated water recover and protect daytime supplies, overnight restrictions remain in place for customers in Port Nua, Ros Beag and surrounding areas between 10pm to 7am.
• An Craoslachh/Dún Fionnachaidh Water Supply:  Customers in An Craoslachh, Dún Fionnachaidh and surrounding areas may experience reduced pressure as flows are redirected within the network to preserve reservoir levels between 10pm to 7am
• Ballyshannon Public Water Supply: Overnight restrictions will be in place for customers in Rossnowlagh, Ardeelin, Carrickfad and surrounding areas between 10pm to 7am. Customers in these areas may experience supply disruptions during these times. 

Uisce Éireann crews are continuing to respond to burst mains and actively monitor water supplies across the county. While some of the county’s supplies are stable, others remain under pressure following a high number of bursts in recent days and exceptionally high demand. 

Uisce Éireann’s Damien O’Sullivan has thanked customers across Co Donegal for their on-going conservation efforts. 

"We're currently seeing water being used faster than it can be treated and replenished in some areas. This is placing significant pressure on reservoir levels and making restrictions necessary to protect daytime supplies for customers. I'd like to thank customers across Co Donegal for the efforts they have already made to conserve water. Those actions are making a real difference, and we are asking people to continue using water carefully as we work to restore reservoir levels and maintain supplies across the county.

“Restrictions will remain necessary for at least the next week as we work to restore reservoir levels and stabilise supplies across the county. Our teams are monitoring reservoir levels and network conditions daily and will review these measures on an ongoing basis,” said Damien.

Customers can find practical water-saving advice and access Uisce Éireann's Water Conservation Calculator here.

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 six 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.

Members of the public can report any leaks in the public water network by contacting Uisce Éireann at 1800 278 278 or on our Report a Leak page.

Uisce Éireann’s customer care team is available 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and customers can also contact us on X @IWCare with any queries. For further updates, visit the Supply and Services section of our website.

Uisce Éireann has a free text service, providing real-time updates for local issues. Customers can sign up with their Eircode and mobile number at our Text Alerts page.