A reminder has been issued for households and businesses in County Sligo to check for leaks.

This comes following the sub-zero temperatures of last week, which increased the number of burst pipes, causing increased pressure on water supplies across the county. Freezing water expands and strains the pipes until they crack or burst, not only impacting older, weakened pipes but also modern pipes that are laid in shallow ground and vulnerable to temperature drops.

Irish Water is working in partnership with Sligo County Council to maintain essential water and wastewater services. Investigations into leaks caused by burst mains continue to take place at several locations. While the raw water reservoirs and sources are full at this time of year, demand for water in Sligo has increased and is putting pressure on the supply of treated water in our storage reservoirs. 

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Customers can also do their bit to help avoid expensive repairs and disrupted water supply at home or in their business by taking a few easy, preventative measures. These include checking outside pipes that can become frozen and burst during periods of cold weather and, if possible, turn off water supply to these areas or to any unoccupied premises. They can also report a leak on the public network or by calling the customer team on 1800 278 278. 

Locals have been advised never to leave taps running as this will not necessarily prevent pipes from freezing and can bleed the network and seriously impact your local water supply.

Offering advice, Seamus O'Brien, Operations Lead for Irish Water, said: "With the temperatures having been below freezing and some element of subsequent thaw, it is essential to continue the regular maintenance of your property and check premises for leaks. It is also a good idea to familiarise yourself with your own internal water system and particularly how to turn off your supply at the stopcock so that you can protect your property in the event of a burst pipe.

"We are constantly monitoring the levels of our reservoirs throughout the county, however, some homes and business in the county may experience low water pressure or loss of supply due to a combination of increased demand and burst watermains. To protect and maintain supply while we conduct repairs, we are asking customers to assist us by checking for bursts and overflowing troughs on their own properties, and turning these off where they are found. We are also asking customers to check unoccupied and empty premises."