Irish Water is being called on to replace a water main in South Clare, after bursts have resulted in hundreds of homes being repeatedly left without supply.
Up to 700 hundred people won’t have water for much of the day following a third burst in the mains in less than 24 hours.
Hundreds of properties in the Sixmilebridge, Annagore Bridge, Soreeney, Quin and surrounding areas were left without water supply yesterday following a burst water main – the fifth time in recent weeks that issues have arisen.
Repair works quickly got underway but this was followed by another burst on a section of the water main serving the area from the Castlelake supply.
Following the completion of works, there was a third burst overnight.
Clare County Council Crews working on behalf of Irish Water have been on site since this morning – They expect to turn the water supply on again gradually over the coming hours and are hopeful that a normal supply will be restored to all customers by this evening or overnight.
Quin businessman Ger O’Halloran says the local community are getting frustrated by the ongoing issues.
A water standpipe will be available in The Park housing estate in Quin from 2pm and 3pm.
Members of the public are advised to bring their own containers.
Irish Water says that it’s important to note that while this water is safe to drink, it is recommended that people should boil the water before use as the containers used to collect it may not be fully sterile.
The company has apologised for the disruption caused by the unplanned outage, saying the repair works are being treated as a priority.
It is also reassuring that it will also seek to find a longer-term solution to recurring problems with this section of watermain.
Sixmilebridge Councillor Alan O’Callaghan is calling for the mains to be completely replaced, and while he acknowledges it would be a costly move, he says it’s one that’s desperately needed.
Anyone with concerns are advised to contact the Irish Water customer care line at 1850 278 278.
