Communities left waiting on tankers as water crisis deepens

A map has been issued by Irish water showing affected areas and the locations of water stations. click here to access

UPDATE: 6PM from Irish Water

'Throughout the day Irish Water has worked with Louth and Meath County Councils, Local Authorities from across the country and Northern Irish Water to mobilised water tankers and containers to reach as many customers as possible impacted by the burst water main supplying the Staleen Water Treatment Plant.   In order to manage the remaining water resource in Drogheda Town, Clogherhead and Termonfeckin we have re-commenced our program of rationing water since this morning. 

'Storage reservoir levels are now critically depleted leading to water supply disruptions in Drogheda and parts of East Meath including Duleek, Lagavoreen, Donore, Ashbourne, Stamullen, Kentstown, Kilbride, Ratoath and Ardcath. 

'The burst on has resulted in a significantly reduced supply to Drogheda town and environs.  The hospital has been prioritised during this event to maintain supply including the commercial centre in Drogheda town in the Mell area, Donore Road, Marley's Lane, Cement Road, Ballsgrove, Marian Park, Crosslanes, and some adjoining estates in the vicinity of these locations.'

UPDATE 5.30pm : Meath County Council is setting up additional water stations as follows-

Two in Ashbourne Town (community Centre and retail park); as well as  Bettystown in the Tesco Car Park; Donacarney at church; Colaiste na hInse secondary school and Harry's Shop in Mornington.

These are in addition to the existing locations:

Duleek: 3 (Church) 2 (St Cianans Villas) 1 (Industrial Estate) - Fire Service
Lagavoreen: 1 (Entrance to Housing Estate)
Donore: 1 (Church)
Ashbourne: 2 (Race hill)
Stamullen: 1 (Kilbreck Housing Estate)
Kenstown: 1 (Londis car park)
Ardcath: 1 (Church)
Ratoath: 2 (National School Fairyhouse Road ) 2 ( St Paul's School) - Fire Service
Knockcommon/Rathdrinagh: 1 (National School)
Kilmoon: 1 (Snailbox Carpark)
Curragha: 1 (Church)
Kilbride: 2 (Church)
Rossnaree: 1 (Church)
Skryne: 1 (GAA Pitch)
Grange Rath: 2 (Entrance to Housing Estate)

Note water must be boiled before consumption,

UPDATE: 4.30pm Ashbourne's water supply is now gone, along with parts of Ratoath. Supply in the coastal area is reaching critical levels and is expected to run out later today.

Meath County Council has deployed the Civil Defence and fire service to assist. Work to try to fill Meath County Council's own reservoir in Staleen by tanker is ongoing.  Meath County Council is utilising its own bore holes as part of its contingency plan. Temporary water stations are operating in 19 locations.

Latest release from Irish Water at 3.15pm

Irish Water says it has mobilised water tankers and containers from across the country as the ongoing works to repair a burst water main supplying raw water to the Staleen water treatment plant has necessitated a shut off of the water supply.

Storage reservoir levels are now critically depleted leading to further water supply disruptions in Drogheda and parts of East Meath including Duleek, Lagavoreen, Donore, Ashbourne, Stamullen, Kentstown, Kilbride, Ratoath and Ardcath.

The burst on the Drogheda water main has resulted in a significantly reduced supply to Drogheda town and environs.  The hospital has been prioritised during this event to maintain supply including the commercial centre in Drogheda town in the Mell area, Donore Road, Marley's Lane, Cement Road, Ballsgrove, Marian Park, Crosslanes, and some adjoining estates in the vicinity of these locations.

Irish Water said three attempts were made to fix the pipe since Friday. 'Due to the complexity of the repair and age of the pipe and ability to withstand very high working pressures standard, the modified fitting arrangements are not holding. The pipe is 50 years old and has warped. In addition it is one of the highest pressure pipes which makes the repair more complex.

 'A bespoke solution is now being engineered. This will not be ready until Tuesday and expected to be on site on Wednesday with water services beginning to be restored on Thursday. 

'In order to manage the remaining water resource we have re-commenced our program of rationing water for the remainder of the town at 8.00 am this morning.' 

 

The following areas were supplied with water from 9.00 am until 11.30 am as part of the rationing plan.

Boyne Meadow

 Laurences Park

Moneymore

The following areas were supplied (11.30 am- 3.30pm) as part of the rationing plan.

 Dublin Road & Donore Industrial Estate

Moneymore                           

 The Twenties

Trinity Street                           

North Road & adjoining estates

Patrick Street             

 Sandyford

Newtown                                

The following areas will be supplied with water from 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm, 24th July.

Collon Road

North Quay to Termonfeckin Road

Ashfield

Hardmans Gardens (Golden Bowl)

The following areas will be supplied with water from 6.00pm until 9.00pm, 24th July

Marley's Lane

Rathmullan Road

Ballymakenny Road

Highlands

The following areas will be supplied with water from 9.00 pm to midnight, 24th July

Boyne Meadows

Laurence Park

Moneymore

As this is a rolling schedule only one area will have supply at any one time. As each area has supply, the other areas will be without water.

Irish Water working in partnership with Louth County Council continues to implement its water contingency plans.

Water tankers and containers have been mobilised from across the country including from Northern Ireland Water.

The temporary water stations that were established at 21 locations across the network will continue to be replenished all day. Further locations will added as demand dictates and the public will be advised of this as it happens. In addition, one thousand litre water tanks are in the process of being distributed across the affected areas. Details on the locations will be available at water.ie and on Twitter @IWCare.

Temporary water stations are currently in 16 locations:

1/2       Duleek at the church x 2

3          Lagavoreen at entrance to the estate

4          Donore village at the church

5/6       Ashbourne at Race hill x 2

7          Stamullen on the Bellewstown road outside the housing estate

8          Kenstown outside the Londis in the car park

9          Ardcath at the church

10        Ratoath one at St Paul's School and

11         Ratoath National School Fairyhouse Road

12        Knockcommon (school)

13        Garristown (Snailbox carpark)

14        Curragha (church)

15        Kilbride Church (from Monday am)

16        Rossnaree Church (from Monday am)

 

The six locations across the network in Louth are:

1          Stameen on the Dublin Road

2          Termonabbey

3          Marleys Lane

4         Bothar Brugha or Hardmans Gardens

5          Ballsgrove shops

6          Shop St North Quay

Customers must bring their own containers to avail of the water and are advised that water must be boiled before consumption as a precaution.

Irish Water has urged people to check in on neighbours and family, particularly the elderly at the time and is encouraging farmers to reactivate their own wells were possible to conserve water.

Irish Water apologises to customers for the inconvenience caused and thanks them for their patience while crews work to repair the burst. Irish Water and Louth County Council would like to thank the public for their patience and apologise for ongoing inconvenience.

Customers can contact our customer care helpline 24/7 on 1850 278 278 or visit www.water.ie for further updates.