LAST UPDATE | 9 Jan

UISCE ÉIREANN HAS warned that there could be further disruption in water supplies over the coming days as the extremely cold weather thaws.

Met Éireann today issued another Status Orange low temperature and ice warning, which will come into effect at 7pm and stay in place until tomorrow morning.

Power and water have been affected, particularly in the counties of Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Kilkenny, Carlow, Laois and Wicklow.

In a statement this evening, Uisce Éireann asked people to continue to report bursts and leaks in the water network to ensure its crews can carry out maintenance and repairs as needed.

It said that as the impact of the freezing weather continues, there may be further disruption to water supplies as frozen pipes begin to thaw, which can lead to an increase in bursts and leaks. 

Uisce Éireann’s Head of Water Operations Margaret Attridge acknowledged that it has been “a very difficult week for many people around the country” and said crews are working around the clock to restore supplies and provide alternative supplies. 

“As the freezing conditions we are currently experiencing are replaced by a thaw, we expect to see an increase in leaks and bursts on the network. We would ask people to remain vigilant over the coming days and report any leaks they see in the public network so that our crews can carry out repairs.”

People can report leaks or bursts on the public water networks to Uisce Éireann’s customer care team on 1800 278 278.

Uisce Éireann said the “vast majority” of the 40,000 people whose supply was disrupted at the weekend now have their water back.

However, it said it may take longer for normal supply to return to some customers at the ends of the network or on higher elevations, in particularly around the areas of Brosna, Knocknagoshel and Castleisland in North Kerry.

“In areas where supply is slower to return, alternative water supplies have been made available and crews are on the ground working to restore supply as quickly as possible,” it added. 

Meanwhile, the ESB has said that fewer than 200 customers are now without power, down from over 59,000 on Sunday.

The dangerous condition of the roads made it particularly difficult to access more remote areas.

The remaining impacted customers will be reconnected today, it said.

The ESB also warned people that if they come across fallen wires or damaged electricity network, never touch or approach these as they are live and extremely dangerous. 

The public is asked to report any damage to electricity infrastructure by calling 1800 372 999.

Real-time information on power outages and restoration times is available on www.PowerCheck.ie.

During the current extreme weather, 18 of the country’s 28 Civil Defence Units – volunteers in communities – have been mobilised to support emergency services.

They’ve been responding to requests from the likes of An Garda Síochána and the HSE.

Dublin’s unit was deployed to provide assistance in Limerick. Other units in the capital are on standby if needed.

Among their acitvities are transporting patients for the HSE, facilitating palliative care home visits, welfare visits and transport of key HSE staff.

The units have also provided assistance to business and community groups.

The units said the volume of work done over the past five days is so significant that it hasn’t been possible to keep track of the total number of people assisted.

“The actions of Civil Defence Officers and volunteers throughout the country has contributed significantly to the wellbeing of many people for whom the weather conditions present very challenging circumstances, especially some very vulnerable people in our communities,” they said in a statement.

“This effort was possible because of the specific training that the volunteers maintain throughout the year, and because of the modern 4 wheeled drive fleet, including ambulances, and communication equipment, which allows units to access and track otherwise inaccessible areas of the country.”

With reporting from Jane Moore