Irish Water, working closely with power company ESB Networks and the local authorities, has made significant progress in getting drinking water back to customers in the wake Storm Ophelia.
From a peak of 109,000 customers without drinking water, this had been reduced to 2,300 customers by Friday. The affected customers are on small schemes including; nine schemes in Cork affecting 488 people; 12 schemes in Waterford affecting 533 people; 5 schemes in Wexford affecting 757 people; and one scheme in Kilkenny affecting 500 people. There are still 100 customers at risk of losing drinking water on one scheme in Tipperary.
Working with the local authorities the water company has also been deploying 50 generators that are keeping water flowing for 51,000 customers. Some of the smaller water treatment plants are not suitable for generators so Irish Water coordinated with the local authorities to ensure that water was provided for the local population with tankers.
Power failure at a number of wastewater treatment plants and a significant number of sewage pumping stations resulted in the discharge of untreated or partially treated wastewater to receiving waters. A total of 148 wastewater plants went off-line as a result of the power outages – this had reduced down to nine wastewater schemes left without power on Friday.
The Irish Water Crisis Management Team has been in charge of coordinating the water company’s response which has been aimed at minimising the impact for customers.
ESB Networks prioritised the restoration of power supplies to the water and wastewater treatment plants where possible during the storm event.
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