Cold snap puts water supplies under pressure
Thousands of homes were facing water shortages again today as local authorities continued to ration supplies in the wake of the big freeze.
Despite a thaw across the country, water reserves were under severe pressure because of burst pipes and over-use.
Tankers were deployed in some of the worst-hit parts of the country to allow people access to fresh drinking water, while people with supplies have been urged to cut usage with practical measures like taking shorter showers.
Dublin City Council said the problem was widespread and extensive across the capital, forcing it to reduce pressure in some areas.
"Dublin City Council will be reducing pressures throughout the system in order to conserve supplies," a statement said.
"We will try to maintain pressures during peak demand periods but will reduce pressures at other times. Localised temporary disruptions to supply may be experienced by consumers in all areas.
"While every effort will be made to maintain supplies at periods of peak demand this will not always be possible.
All areas throughout the city are at risk of reduced pressures with the higher areas having an increased risk of loss of supply."
Tankers will be deployed to those areas most affected by the pressure reductions.
Clare County Council was forced to halt public water supplies overnight in Scarriff, Tuamgraney, Tulla, Sixmilebridge, Newmarket on Fergus, Shannon Town, Cratloe, Bunratty, Kilmurray and Kilkishen where reservoirs were rapidly running dry.
Parts of Donegal, Sligo and Cork have also been affected.
Adding to the problems heavy rain mixed with melting slush and snow has caused flooding in the south of the country.
Motorists were warned of dangerous driving conditions with the N22 Cork to Tralee Road barely passable in parts.
Stormy conditions in the city have left debris scattered across roads.
A platoon of almost 40 troops and six vehicles have been deployed in Skibbereen to fill and distribute sandbags to help prevent a repeat of the devastating floods that hit the city and county in November.
They will remain based in the town, sleeping in Skibbereen Town Hall for the next 48 hours helping the local authority and gardaí.
The Defence Forces said 20 troops were also working in Co Leitrim helping to grit roads as icy conditions remained in some midland and northern areas.
The offices of the Department of Justice on St Stephen's Green in Dublin have been forced to close after extensive damage was caused by burst pipes.
The building is expected to be shut for at least a week, with the majority of staff moved to the Department’s other offices at Pembroke House on neighbouring Harcourt Street.
A spokesman said: “Over the weekend exposed pipes burst, so there is extensive damage to wiring.”
Limerick County Council also urged households to conserve supplies and warned taps could run dry in the coming days.
Areas affected include Caherconlish, Oola, Carrigmore, Doon, Newcastle West, Mountcollins, Abbeyfeale, Foynes and Ballyhahill.
Donal Brennan, senior engineer with the council, said: “Customers throughout the county can expect interruptions in supply over the coming days.
“Council crews are continuing their efforts to maintain supplies and the public are asked to promptly repair any leaks within their premises.
“We will continue to ensure that disruption to public water supplies is kept to a minimum and supplies are restored as soon as practicable.”
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