Water supply returning in Tipperary Town following nighttime restrictions

Uisce Éireann, is continuing to deliver a targeted, strategic approach to managing leakage across Tipperary town to ensure a more reliable and resilient supply of water for local homes and businesses.

Nighttime restrictions will be in place from 10pm on Tuesday, 10 February to 6am Wednesday, 11 February to facilitate further leakage detection works in the town.

Dave Murphy, Leakage Reduction Portfolio  Manager with Uisce Éireann acknowledged the supply challenges in some areas of the town, which are related to network management and leakage. According to Dave: “We have targeted leakage detection in recent months as a measure to support us addressing overall pressure.

We have deployed additional crews and specialist technology to identify large scale leaks. This is bearing fruit, enabling us to identify individual large scale leaks and complete a number of repairs to date. This work is continuing and we ask for the cooperation of local businesses and homeowners to support work across the town.”  

Recently a major leak was detected by our crews on private property which, when repaired by the landowner, has saved a massive 144,000 litres of water daily. That’s enough water saved to supply almost 1,100 people a day or the equivalent average daily use of the villages of Monard, Golden, Bansha and Donaskeigh combined.

While several major leaks have been repaired, there remains more work to do. Uisce Éireann is advising homes and businesses across the town that nighttime restrictions will be in place from 10pm on Tuesday, 10 February to 6am Wednesday, 11 February in order to facilitate leakage detection works in the town. We would like to thank the people of Tipperary Town for their patience and cooperation to date.

As part of our targeted investigation we know that a significant number of leaks have been detected but are yet to be repaired.

There were over 90 large leaks within private properties on the Tipperary Town Supply. This is a combination of homes and businesses from across the town and resulted in a daily loss of 703,450 litres of water each day. This is the equivalent of the daily water use of 5,289 people being lost to leaks.

Addressing these leaks would result in massive savings which would ease pressure on the town’s Cordangan Water Treatment Plant, which can be challenged when demand outstrips supply.  

To report leaks on the public network, or for more information, the Uisce Éireann helpdesk is available 24/7 at 1800 278 278.

Dave Murphy continued: “We are acutely aware that there are supply challenges in Tipperary town. To resolve this, we need the support of the local community.

“The leakage across the town is causing challenges and is risking our ability to consistently keep up with the towns demand. If we work together, we can crack the town’s leakage issue and ensure a more reliable supply of water for local homes and businesses now and into the future.

It may be difficult to understand that so much clean drinking water is disappearing underground every day through leaks. Water is a valuable resource so finding and successfully repairing these leaks is of paramount importance to save water and also ensure we can provide a reliable supply.”

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 the Text Alerts page.

Uisce Éireann is introducing further overnight restrictions for customers in parts of Tipperary Town in an effort to safeguard daytime supply.

The restrictions which will be in place from 10pm tonight, 17 November until 7am tomorrow, 18 November are necessary due to continued low reservoir levels at Cordangan Reservoir where demand for water continues to exceed supply.

The areas impacted are St Michaels Avenue, Marion Terrace, Avondale Cresent, Rossmore Village, James Connelly Park, Cashel Road and the surrounding areas.

Uisce Éireann’s John Fogarty has assured customers that every effort is being made to restore supply to normal levels. “Uisce Éireann crews are continuing to carry out investigations in the area. We understand the impact of overnight restrictions, but these measures are necessary to ensure continuous daytime supply for homes and businesses while we allow the reservoir levels time to recover.”

“We have intensified our efforts to detect and repair leaks in this area and are appealing to customers to be mindful of their water usage to give the reservoir time to replenish. Any reductions made can collectively result in significant supply improvements for all homes and businesses.”

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

Vulnerable customers who have registered with Uisce Éireann receive direct communications from us for planned and unplanned outages lasting more than four hours. To register as a vulnerable customer or as an alternative contact, visit our Vulnerable Customers page.

Uisce Éireann is committed to keeping customers informed across multiple platforms 24/7 and we encourage customers to engage with us through our website, X channels @IWCare and @IrishWater, and through our customer care helpline which is open 24/7 on 1800 278 278.

Uisce Éireann has launched 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.