UPDATE: Good news for Kildare as major repair works successfully completed by Uisce Éireann

Repair works to a major trunk watermain that connects Ballymore Eustace Water Treatment Plant and the Saggart Reservoir have successfully been completed by Uisce Éireann (UE).

According to UE, the 'critical and complex repairs will safeguard water supply to 1.7 million customers in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA).'

The organisation elaborated: "Specialist crews from UE and Local Authorities turned off the water to the trunk main on Monday night with repair and excavation crews working around the clock to repair the pipeline.

"Critical repairs were completed in the early hours of Wednesday morning and water is now refilling the network.

"As the network continues to replenish, customers in Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow may be impacted by low water pressure and discoloured water throughout today."

UE continued: "It will take a number of hours today for all customers in Kildare to see water return to their taps as the water network will need to refill.

"The areas closest to the water main are drawing down the water first, so it will take some time to get to all areas. Those on higher ground or at the end of the network may experience disruption or an intermittent supply for a number of hours.

"We have prioritised keeping water to Naas Hospital at all times."

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UE added that customers may also experience low pressure, discoloured water for a period today (Wednesday, August 14) as water returns.

The organisation further said: "UE would like to thank the public for their patience and support in conserving water throughout the repair and apologise for the inconvenience experienced.

"Areas impacted include: Arthurstown, Tipperkevin, Rathmore and surrounds, Naas, Castlewarden, Sallins, Ardclough, Ballagh Cross, Baltracey Lane, Clane, Carbury, Rathcoffey, Hortland, Johnstown Bridge, Kill, Sherlockstown, Tirmoghan, Tuckmilltown and surrounding areas."

Margaret Attridge, Head of Water Operations for UE, also voiced her view that 'forward planning' has been crucial to the success of these works.

Ms Attridge said: "Safeguarding water for customers was our primary objective in planning and implementing this challenging repair. Extensive preparation took place in advance to enable us to carry out these works and minimise impact on water supplies.

"We would like to thank the crews who worked throughout the day and night from Uisce Éireann, Local Authorities and our contractor GMC."

She added: "This section of water main was at risk of bursting and causing major disruption for 1.7 million customers, unless repair works were carried out."

UE is again asking the public in Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow area to continue to make every effort to conserve water while the network is refilling following the shut-off period.

"This will help all customers have a full water supply as quickly as possible," UE said.

The customer care helpline for UE is open 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and customers can also contact the organisation on X @IWCare with any queries.

For updates, pyou can visit the Water Supply Updates section of www.water.ie or UE's dedicated web page: https://wtr.ie/8z9lup.

There is also a detailed interactive GIS map showing areas which may be affected by low water pressure and discolouration over the course of the day: https://irishwater.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=93deb3f433e34018be56f65033cfc7e2.

Customers in Kildare can access alternative water supplies at the following locations:

• Rathmore Youth Hall
• Newtown Grove
• Walshestown
• Áras Chill Dara

Customers are reminded to use their own containers when taking water from the tanker and, as a precaution, boil the water before drinking.