Homeowners urged to check for leaks and spare water usage

WICKLOW homeowners and businesses have been urged to check for leaks and conserve water while following public health advice.

Irish Water made the appeal following what it described as a steady increase in demand for water over the Christmas period spiking in the past few days following the recent cold spell that saw sub-zero temperatures over a number of days.

Following freezing temperatures and the subsequent thaw, the national water utility said the public water network has experienced a higher than normal volume of bursts. Irish Water, working with local authorities including Wicklow County Council, are working to repair these bursts as quickly as possible in line with Covid-19 protocols in order to ensure continuity of supply.

Tom Cuddy, Head of Operations, Irish Water, said: ‘Irish Water working with the Local Authorities are currently addressing bursts across the network but we are also appealing to homes, businesses and those responsible for unoccupied buildings to check for leaks whilst adhering to current public health regulations and advice, and to turn off water where it’s not needed. We ask that they check outside pipes in particular that can become frozen and burst during periods of cold weather and report leaks they see on the public network to us.

‘We also ask the public to conserve water where possible and to only use what they need whilst continuing to adhere to public health advice on hand washing and hygiene regarding Covid-19. We have seen demand creeping up in recent weeks, spiking over the past few days. Safe, clean, treated water is not in unlimited supply and we all have to play a part in conserving it for essential use,’ he added.