More water issues in Athlone area

Further water restrictions are to be put in place tonight across large parts of Athlone town and the eastern suburbs.

In order to allow for the continued recovery of the water supply, a water restriction will be in place from 10pm tonight, Wednesday, until 6am tomorrow, Thursday, which will impact customers in Athlone Town, Baylin, Mount Temple, The Ories, Garrycastle, Dublin Road, Ardnaglug, Fardrum, Moydrum, Blyry, Killyon Hill, Bonavalley, Athlone and surrounding areas.

This latest restriction coms after the Westmeath Independent reported on its front page today (see below) that Irish Water has indicated that it would be at least six months before a temporary solution to the water shortages blighting Athlone would be put in place.

 

The news emerged from a meeting between top Irish Water officials and Athlone Mayor Cllr Frankie Keena and Minister of State Kevin 'Boxer' Moran.

A longer-term plan to upgrade the local water treatment plant at Marine View is being progressed.

Irish Water said the restriction is being put in place to ensure customers have a water supply to their homes and businesses during the daytime and that there is an adequate quantity of water available to supply industries, schools, residences and commercial activities during business hours.

The water supply will restore to customers as the network refills. It can take a number of hours for the water to restore to customers on higher ground or at the end of the network once the water supply is turned back on. Irish Water said it expects that supply will return to customers between 6am and 8am as the water returns to the network.