Water supplies to key Newmarket scheme still remain ‘extremely low’

WHILE there has been some small relief from the dry weather this week, Irish Water has warned that water supplies to a key regional scheme covering a vast swathe of Duhallow still remain at critically low levels.

The company has urged homes and businesses connected to the Newmarket scheme, which covers Newmarket, Kanturk, Tullylease, Kilbrin and Boherbue, to make “every possible effort” to conserve water, warning that supply to the scheme remains “extremely low”.

“Demand is exceeding supply and, combined with the extended dry weather period, the sources for the water supply scheme are coming under increasing pressure,” said an Irish Water spokesperson.

The company said it was working in conjunction with Cork County Council taking measures to alleviate pressure across the scheme through a combination of reducing water demand, closely monitoring supplies and investigating alternative sources.

The spokesperson said ‘find and fix’ crews had been mobilised across the area to identify and repair leaks to the supply system, and large water users were also being requested to reduce consumption where possible.

“We are also asking local communities to check for internal leaks and fix any dripping taps or leaking toilets. If people identify leaks they cannot fix themselves, we would ask they contact us so our crews can investigate them,” said the spokesperson.

“Any measures taken to reduce consumption, no matter how small they may seem, will help in terms of replenishing water supplies.”

The spokesman said that while the Newmarket supply was particularly badly affected, other schemes across north Cork were also feeling the pinch.

“It will take sustained rainfall over many weeks and even months to replenish raw water levels in rivers, lakes and groundwater sources and treated drinking water levels in our storage reservoirs,” they warned.

“In the meantime we all have a role to play in conserving water. Simple steps like taking a short shower instead of a bath, turning off taps and fixing leaks in outside taps or farm troughs all help to make a difference.”

Meanwhile, Irish Water has installed a booster pump in Ballyhooly in a bid to address the ongoing issue of low water pressure impacting on many homes in the village.

“Water pressure has now been increased, and further improvements are being planned. We would ask customers who still may still have water supply issues, including low pressure, to contact us on 1850 278 278 so we can investigate,” said the spokesperson.

“We will continue to monitor performance and will complete the assessment for future investment on the network in the autumn.”