As the thaw sets in across the county, Donegal County Council is urging motorists and pedestrians not to become complacent on roads and footpaths.
However, the council’s main concern at present is water, with fears of burst pipes right across the system. The council’s emergency number is 074 91 72399. Meanwhile, disruptions will be experienced in all electoral areas this evening.
Here is the latest update from the council –
Planned Restrictions to public water supplies (Monday 27th December 2010)
Demand for water has increased throughout the County seriously affecting reserves. As a result water supply will be restricted in the following areas tonight, note some from as early as tea-time:
GLENTIES ELECTORAL AREA
Water supplies will be restricted in the following areas from 6:00pm until 8:00am
The Rosses
Gweedore
Leittermacaward Area
Ardara Area
Gortahork Falcarragh
DONEGAL ELECTORAL AREA
Water supplies will be restricted in the following areas from 6:00pm until 8:00am
Ballyshannon
Bundoran
Donegal Town
Frosses Mountcharles
Dunkineely
Killybegs
STRANORLAR ELECTORAL AREA
Water supplies will be restricted in the following areas from 8:00pm until 8:00am
Convoy
Castlefin
Raphoe
Lifford
Ballinacor
Tievebrack
Gleneely
Ballybofey and Stranorlar – supply will also be turned off to the Twin Towns from midnight until 8.00am each night
INISHOWEN ELECTORAL AREA
Water supplies will be restricted in the following areas from 10:00pm until 8:00am
Quigley’s Point to north of Muff village
Greencastle
Buncrana Town
Carndonagh
Malin Head
LETTERKENNY ELECTORAL AREA
Water supplies may be restricted in the some areas from 10:00pm until 8:00am
(depending on progress made today)
SEVERE WEATHER PERIOD – Water Conservation Appeal
Donegal County Council are recording significant increases in demand on a number of water supplies throughout the county during the current cold weather conditions – particularly during the thaw period. We suspect the increased demand for water arises from
- taps left running
- burst mains which have not yet been located
- leakage in private properties
The Water Service in Donegal wishes to appeal to the public to help us eliminate such wastage. This will help save water stored in reservoirs and avoid further shortages throughout the county
With the experience from the widespread disruption last winter we are highlighting the following areas in particular where the public can help eliminate wastage of the public water supply:
Running taps – please avoid leaving taps running. This is counter productive and will run down available water in storage
Burst mains / leakage – any suspected leaks on watermains or wastage should be reported to the County Council at your local public services centre.
Vacant properties – please continue to check vacant properties where internal plumbing may be damaged by freezing conditions. Ideally the water supply to vacant buildings should be turned off and systems drained of all water, e.g. where members of the public who are going on holiday during the coming months, we would recommend that they turn off the water supply to their premises and drain all water out of the system before leaving the property.
Farming Community – we ask that you check all field connections and turn off leaking drinking troughs. This has proven to be a serious problem in rural areas in recent years. We also ask for your assistance in checking for burst pipes in farm buildings and burst hoses laying over ground. Essentially anywhere on the farm that water may be lost
Caravan Parks – another area that is often remote where plumbing may be exposed and water losses can be slow to appear, we appeal to all caravan park owners to turn off the water supply to eliminate wastage.
Once again the co-operation of every community is required if we are to avert widespread shortages in water supplies
