RESERVOIRS IN SOME parts of the country are not being replenished as quickly as hoped, which is leading to continuing disruptions in the water supply.
Restrictions in Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow are set to continue for the immediate future.
Dublin City Council has said that less water than hoped was saved on Monday night – about 20 million litres was stored, which was about half the amount the council had expected. The problem was intensified by a renewed demand for water when many businesses reopened on Tuesday after the holiday period.
The Irish Times reports that the shortages were likely to continue until Friday, when the full scale of the shortages could be assessed, but could continue for longer.
Members of the public have been asked to continue to report broken water mains and to conserve water as much as possible.
Wicklow County Council appealed to people to reduce their water consumption and have urged householders not to leave taps running. The council also pointed out that most homes and businesses have sufficient storage in their own water tanks to cover the amount of water needed when it is restricted, and that storing large quantities of water – in baths for example – was not necessary.
Kildare County Council also asked householders and businesses to conserve water, and confirmed that restrictions would remain in place until 8am this morning.
Cork City Council said that leak detection and repair crews made good progress in reducing water losses last past weekend, and that all areas in the city should now be receiving normal daytime supplies. It added that if customers were not receiving water the likelihood would be that the problem is internal to their own system.
Galway County Council said that supply has been restored to most households in the city but that some were still experiencing difficulties.
Waterford City Council reported no disruptions to water supplies in the city yesterday, but asked householders to report any leaks immediately. The council also reminded people to ask for identification if a City Council employee asks to enter a premises.
Limerick City Council said the supply was cut off in the city last night, and added that people were working fulltime on the ground to assist with the return of all water supplies.
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland Water’s CEO Laurence McKenzie, who has come under intense criticism over his handling of the water crisis, is believed to be planning to step down. The BBC reports that a “a very senior source” indicated that MacKenzie would announce his plans this evening, after a NI Water board meeting.
Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, a spokesperson for the company said that MacKenzie had “not tendered his resignation” from his £250,000 (€294,000) post. However, the newspaper predicts that his resignation “could come as early as today”.
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