Around 10,000 customers still affected as Boil Water Notice remains in place for Rosses area

Irish Water has reminded up to 10,000 customers in West Donegal that the Boil Water Notice remains in place for those supplied by those on the Rosses Regional Public Water Supply.

The notice has been in effect since last Thursday afternoon.

They said that customers can be assured that drinking water experts from Irish Water and Donegal County Council are working to rectify the issues and lift the notice as quickly and as safely as possible, in consultation with the HSE. 

The areas affected by the Boil Water Notice include Crolly, Loughanure, Annagry, Kinncasslagh, Burtonport, Dungloe, Gweedore, Gola Island, Inishfree Island and all areas and group water schemes supplied by Crolly Water Treatment Plant. 

Irish Water is also asking customers on the supply to check for leaks and help maintain the supply. 

In recent days Irish Water has seen a noticeable increase in water usage.

Operations Lead with Irish Water, Seamus O’Brien, asked the public to continue their efforts to conserve water and check for leaks. 

“While our raw water reservoirs and sources are full at this time of year, demand for water has increased and is putting pressure on the supply of treated water in our storage reservoirs. Irish Water crews are on the ground, working in partnership with Donegal County Council, to maintain supply and we are asking customers to turn off taps and check for leaks.”

The sub-zero temperatures in recent days have increased the number of frozen water pipes and bursts, causing increased demand on water supplies across the region. Freezing water expands and strains the pipes until they crack or burst, not only impacting older, weakened pipes but also modern pipes that are laid in shallow ground and vulnerable to temperature drops.

Mr O’Brien appealed to customers to do their bit to help avoid expensive repairs and a disrupted water supply at home or in their business by taking a few easy, preventative measures. 

“With the temperatures having been below freezing and some element of thaw beginning, it's essential to continue the regular maintenance of your property and check premises for leaks. It is also a good idea to familiarise yourself with your own internal water system and particularly how to turn off your supply at the stopcock so that you can protect your property in the event of a burst pipe. 

“We also recommend that people don’t run taps continually as this is not an effective way of preventing frozen pipes and can cause other problems such as frozen drains. It also puts further pressure on water supplies that are already challenged by the freezing conditions. For example, in one rural location this year a single hose pipe left running overnight resulted in 60 people being without water."

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To help people avoid issues like this and stay safe, warm and comfortable during the cold snap, we have lots of helpful advice on our website, www.water.ie/winterproofing. There is also advice on general winter readiness at www.winterready.ie.

Customers can report leaks on the public network on our website or by calling our customer team on 1800 278 278. 

The Irish Water Customer Care Team is also available to help 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and there is lots of advice on being winter ready on Twitter @IrishWater.