Residents and commuters in the Bandon Road and Waterfall areas are facing a weekend of supply disruption as Uisce Éireann crews move in to repair a "significant" burst to a water main on the N71.

The burst, which occurred on Thursday evening, has proven particularly challenging for engineers due to its sensitive location and high traffic volumes. To minimize the impact on daytime motorists, a major traffic management plan has been activated, with intensive repair work scheduled to take place throughout the night, beginning at 8pm this evening.

Disruptions and Recovery Time

Uisce Éireann has warned that homes and businesses in Bandon Road, Waterfall, and surrounding areas may experience supply disruptions while works are underway. Engineers are working to have the repair finalized by 5am on Saturday morning. However, locals are being advised that service may not return to normal immediately upon completion.

Michael Bell, Uisce Éireann’s Water Network Operations Manager, noted that it typically takes three to four hours following repairs for normal supply to be restored to most customers. He added that it may take longer for those living at the end of the network or on higher ground as the system recharges.

Alternative Water Supplies and Safety

To support the community during the outage, an emergency water tanker has been deployed at St James Cemetery in Chetwynd. Customers are reminded to bring their own containers when collecting water and are advised to boil the water before consumption as a standard precautionary measure.

The decision to schedule the bulk of the repairs for tonight was made to ensure the safety of both the public and the work crews. Mr. Bell explained that the traffic management plan was agreed upon with relevant authorities to prioritize the safety of repair crews, road users, and the general public.

Contact and Updates

Vulnerable customers registered with the utility will receive direct communication regarding the outage. For others seeking real-time updates, information is available on the water supply and services section of the Uisce Éireann website under the reference COR00105611.

The customer care team remains available 24/7 at 1800 278 278, and queries can also be directed to the @IWCare account on X. Residents can also sign up for a free text service at www.water.ie by providing their Eircode and mobile number to receive localized updates in the future.