Longford among worst hit counties as over 100,000 households nationwide still without water following Storm Éowyn

Longford is among the worst hit counties as over 100,000 households across Ireland are still without water following Storm Éowyn.

Water tankers have been deployed to the Cathedral Carpark, Longford Town; the Library Carpark (rear), Edgeworthstown; the Mart, Ballymahon; the village carpark, Aughnacliffe and the carpark behind Garda Station, Granard. Please check the Uisce Éireann website for latest updates. 

Uisce Éireann have said that approximately 109,000 people across the country still have no water this lunchtime following Storm Éowyn.

An additional 112,000 people are now being supplied by schemes where generators have been deployed by Uisce Éireann crews. Supplies for a further 126,000 people are at risk in areas where power is yet to be restored.

The impacts initially nationwide are more localised now with the East and South most improved.

Also read: Latest: Water tankers in several locations in Longford as Uisce Éireann crews work to restore water supplies

Areas most impacted are along the West Coast and Midlands include Galway, Mayo, Clare, Cavan, Monaghan, Westmeath, Donegal and Longford. Updates on local supplies issues are being provided on the Uisce Eireann website, www.water.ie, as soon as they become available.

READ MORE: LIVE: Over 10,000 Longford ESB customers without power and many facing a restoration date of February 3

Uisce Éireann repair crews are again on the ground across the country today working to restore water supplies and operations at wastewater plants. Crews are continuing efforts to actively source and transfer generators to sites where power has not been restored.

Uisce Éireann have said they are co-ordinating closely with the ESB to prioritise power restoration and are also liaising with other agencies including the National Emergency Co-ordination Group and local authorities.

Also read: Longford emergency services tackle devastating house fire

Head of Water Operations at Uisce Éireann, Margaret Attridge noted that while positive progress had been made overnight, the number of people experiencing loss of supply due to power outages remains significant.

She said: "This unprecedented storm event has had a severe impact on our water and wastewater network nationwide. Our crews are on the ground in all impacted areas working to restore water services as quickly as possible, but given the extent of the damage to the power network, it may take some time before full service is restored everywhere.

"We apologise to customers who have been without water for a few days and ask for the public’s continued patience during this challenging time, some customers are also operating with restricted service as treated water storage reservoirs and networks recharge."

Attridge added: "In locations where water supplies have been impacted for longer periods, we are deploying alternative water supplies. Details of these supplies and their locations are being posted across our website and social media channels as they become available."

Margaret is also urging customers to conserve water where possible in order to protect supply while the outages are resolved. There are some simple steps people can take to conserve their water, such as avoiding the use of water-intensive appliances during this time.

To learn more about conserving water, visit www.water.ie/conserve.

Customers can stay informed about their local water supply by visiting www.water.ie, via Uisce Éireann’s X feed, @IWCare, or by signing up for the free text alert service via the website.

Alternatively get in touch via the 24/7 customer care centre at 1800 278 278.