Crews continue work to restore water supply to impacted areas in County Kerry

Information below is relevant until further updates are provided here or on our Supply and Service Updates section

Following heavy snowfalls and low temperatures in recent days, Uisce Éireann crews have worked alongside ESB and Local Authority teams in difficult freezing conditions to respond to outages at local treatment plants and bursts on the network; and is continuing to work to address supply interruptions to impacted customers in Brosna, Knocknagoshel and Castleisland.

While power has been restored at the reservoir at Brosna, it is severely depleted, and it may take up to two days to fully replenish.

Alternative water supplies are being mobilised in the form of bulk tankers and will be available from this evening at the following locations:

•    Hedley’s Bridge, Knocknagoshel 
•    Castleisland GAA pitch 
•    The square in Brosna 

It is expected that the alternative water supply will remain in place until Friday, 10 January. We would ask customers to remain vigilant as many of the roads in Kerry remain in a dangerous condition and customers should assess the risk prior to travelling in certain parts of the county. 

Customers are reminded to use their own containers when taking water from the tanker and to boil water before consumption as a precautionary measure, as per HSE advice.

Uisce Éireann’s, Operations Lead in Kerry, Charlie O’Leary said “We acknowledge the inconvenience caused by interruptions to the water supply and very much appreciate the community’s co-operation while our crews work to carry out the repairs and restore supply. Uisce Éireann would also like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication shown by our local crews across the county working through these extreme weather conditions.”

“Where supply has been restored, it may take several hours for the network reservoirs and pipelines to recharge and for adequate pressures to build up again.  In some areas, for properties on higher ground, it may take up to two days for the network to fully replenish. As the network refills and supplies return, customers in the impacted areas may experience intermittent disruption or low water pressure.”

With the sub-zero temperatures forecast to continue until Friday, there are likely to be further challenges from frozen pipes and bursts. Uisce Éireann recommends 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. Alternatively, if the water system is left operational, you may consider setting the heating to come on periodically at a lower temperature. This allows warm air to circulate; and will help prevent pipes and tanks from freezing in the cold weather.

To help people avoid issues like this and stay safe, warm and comfortable during the cold snap we have lots of helpful advice on our Winterproofing page.

Uisce Éireann is encouraging people to report any leaks or bursts on the public water networks to our Customer Care Team on 1800 278 278. We’re available 24/7 and customers can also contact us on X @IWCare with any queries.