Works underway to maintain water supply to customers in Inch, Kenmare, Aghadoe and Milltown areas
13 December 2022
With the cold snap expected to continue for the next few days, Uisce Éireann is asking customers across Kerry to conserve water and help ensure critical supplies can be maintained.
In recent days Uisce Éireann has seen a noticeable increase in water usage across Kerry which has restricted supply to some customers in the Inch, Kenmare, Aghadoe and Milltown areas to date.
Uisce Éireann and Kerry County Council are working together to address issues on these supplies. Crews continue to work on the ground to restore supply to those impacted.
Overnight restrictions will continue in the Aghadoe and Milltown areas to help Barleymount Reservoir recover due to the increased demand and to maintain supply for homes and businesses during the day. Restrictions are also required in parts of the Inch and Kenmare Public Water Supply areas to protect reservoir levels due to increased demand. Crews are also working continuously across Kerry to limit any further possible restrictions as the week progresses.
For customers in Inch, there currently may be an interruption to the water supply. This is due to increased demand. There will be restrictions to the water supply over the coming days and an alternative water supply is being made available at Boolteens Church from 6pm today. Customers are reminded to use their own containers when taking water from the tanker and to boil water before consumption as a precautionary measure. Boil water by bringing to a vigorous, rolling boil (e.g. with an automatic kettle) and allow to cool.
Operations Lead with Uisce Éireann Oliver Harney assured customers that crews are working to restore full supply to all customers and asked the public to continue their efforts to conserve water and check for leaks.
“With the temperatures dipping below -5-degrees in some areas this week it is really important to continue the regular maintenance of your property, protect outside taps and farm troughs, and check empty premises. It also a good idea to familiarise yourself with your own internal water system and particularly how to turn off your supply at the stopcock so that you can protect your property in the event of a burst pipe.
“We also recommend that people don’t run taps continually as this is not an effective way of preventing frozen pipes and can cause other problems such as frozen drains. It also puts further pressure on water supplies that are already challenged by the freezing conditions.
“To help people avoid issues like this and stay safe, warm and comfortable during the cold snap we have lots of helpful advice on our website, www.water.ie/winterproofing. There is also advice on general winter readiness at www.winterready.ie.
The Uisce Éireann Customer Care Team is also available to help 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and there is lots of advice on being winter ready on the Uisce Éireann Twitter feed.