Irish Water and Local Authorities in the Greater Dublin Area are asking homes and businesses to check for leaks and to conserve water in order to reduce overall demand for drinking water.

The call comes in response to a steady increase in demand 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 public water network has experienced a higher than normal volume of bursts. Irish Water and its Local Authority partners are working to repair the bursts as quickly as possible in line with Covid-19 protocols in order to ensure continuity of supply.

Speaking about the current water supply situation in the GDA, 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 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.”