AN INCREASE IN burst pipes has been evident across Co Clare since the freezing weather.
Sub-zero temperatures in the last week have increased the number of frozen water pipes and bursts, causing increased pressure on water supplies across the county. 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.
Irish Water crews are on the ground, working in partnership with Clare County Council, to maintain essential water and wastewater services. Investigations into leaks caused by burst mains continue to take place at dozens of locations.
While 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.
Householders and businesses in the county have been reminded by Irish Water to check for leaks on their properties and report leaks on the public network via www.water.ie or by calling 1800 278 278.
Customers can also do their bit to help avoid expensive repairs and disrupted water supply at home or in their business by taking a few easy, preventative measures. These include checking outside pipes that can become frozen and burst during periods of cold weather and, if possible, turn off water supply to these areas or to any unoccupied premises.
Derek O’Toole, Operations Lead for Irish Water stated, “With the temperatures having been below freezing and some element of thaw beginning it is essential to continue the regular maintenance of your property and check premises for leaks. It 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 we saw an example of where a single hosepipe left running overnight resulted in 60 people being without water”.
He added, “We are constantly monitoring the levels of our reservoirs throughout the county, however, some homes and business in the county, particularly Carron and parts of North Clare, may experience low water pressure or loss of supply due to a combination of increased demand and burst watermains. To protect and maintain supply while we conduct repairs, we are asking customers to assist us by checking for bursts and overflowing troughs on their own properties , and turning these off where they are found. We are also asking customers to check unoccupied and empty premises”.
