Trim residents left without water again as plant problems persist

Trim residents once again found themselves without water at the weekend after yet another problem at the Trim Water Treatment Plant.

An electrical fault at the plant on Friday night caused it to shutdown and left residents throughout the town and surrounding areas without water.

While some homes had their supply restored during Saturday, local councillor Noel French said the water was coming and going all weekend.

"There are different issues arising with the plant all the time. It is 25 years old and has reached the extent of its lifetime. An upgrade is urgently needed."

While an upgrade is planned for 2023 and due to be finished in 2024, Cllr French said something needs to be done now and wants to see it expedited.

"It is happening too often. You can put up with it now and again but it is happening so often, something has to be done," he said.

Alternative water supplies were provided in at the car park behind Aldi, the Knightsbrook Hotel car park, the car park at Supermacs on the Navan road and at the council offices at Mornington House on Saturday morning and in Rathmolyon village on Saturday afternoon. The supply at Mornington House was also in place on Sunday.

On Sunday night and Monday night, residents had to endure yet more disruption as Irish Water imposed essential night time restrictions to help reservoir levels and maintain a sufficient water supply to homes and businesses during normal working hours.

The restriction was in place from 8pm Sunday night to 7am Monday morning and again from 10pm on Monday night until 6am on Tuesday morning and they have also appealed to people to conserve water.

Michael Cunniffe, Irish Water said: "This night-time restriction is necessary to ensure a daytime water supply is available for residents and businesses for hygiene and other essential purposes.

“We are continuing to work to resolve the issue at the plant so that it can return to normal operating conditions as soon as possible. We will continue to provide updates to customers as the work progress.

“During the day time, we are appealing to customers to help conserve water by not running taps needlessly, taking showers instead of baths and to postpone using dishwashers and washing machines where possible.”

Further information is available on www.water.ie