Works underway to restore water supply to Fore customers

Uisce Éireann, working in partnership with Westmeath County Council, have carried out repairs to a burst water main in the Lough Park area impacting customers in Hilltown, Loughpark and Glendian. Dedicated water service crews have now repaired the burst in line with current Government and HSE COVID-19 guidance.

Water supply has returned to most of the areas but some customers may continue to experience low water pressure and/or air locks this evening, Tuesday 3 August. Customers located on higher grounds and on the extremity of the network, such as Sallymount, may continue to experience temporary outages and/or low water pressure as the network refills. Information on how to check for and clear airlocks can be found on the Internal airlocks section of our website.

Alternative water supplies (mobile water tankers) remain in place at the following locations: 

• Abbey in Fore Village
• Hilltown junction with Oldcastle Road from Castlepollard 

Customers are reminded to use their own containers when taking water from the tankers and to boil the water before consumption as a precautionary measure. Customers should follow HSE and government COVID-19 advice in relation to social distancing when collecting water from tankers.

Uisce Éireann would like to remind customers it is important to continue to follow the HSE guidance on hand hygiene.

Uisce Éireann is encouraging customers to conserve water at this time. There are ways to conserve water that will not impact on hygiene or handwashing. Simple water conservation efforts can have a big impact on reducing demand on the supply such as not running taps needlessly, taking showers instead of baths and to postpone using dishwashers and washing machines where possible. We are also reminding people with responsibility for properties that are currently unoccupied to check for leaks and turn off water where it is not required. There are lots more tips on how to conserve water in your home on the Conservation section of our website.

Speaking about the repair works, John Gavin, Uisce Éireann said, "Uisce Éireann understands the inconvenience caused when a burst occurs and thanks customers for their patience while we worked to repair the burst and restore normal supply to impacted customers as quickly and as safely as possible. Uisce Éireann and Westmeath County Council regrets any inconvenience caused."

Uisce Éireann is working at this time, with our Local Authority partners, contractors and others to safeguard the health and well-being of both staff and the public and to ensure the continuity of critical drinking water and wastewater services.

Our customer care helpline is open 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and customers can also contact us on Twitter @IWCare with any queries. For updates please see the Supply and Service Updates section of our website.