Uisce Éireann has begun critical repair works on a major water pipeline that supplies one-third of the Greater Dublin Area’s drinking water, warning residents across Dublin, Wicklow, and Kildare to restrict water use during the bank holiday weekend.
The utility company shut down the vital pipeline at 11pm last night for a 28-hour window of intensive repair work, with operations expected to continue into the early hours of Sunday morning. The pipeline had been identified as being at high risk of failure, prompting emergency action to avoid a potentially catastrophic rupture and widespread supply outages.
Margaret Attridge, Head of Water Operations at Uisce Éireann, urged households and businesses to conserve water wherever possible during the ongoing repairs.
“We’re asking the public to postpone non-essential uses like filling baths, washing cars, power hosing, or using paddling pools,” said Attridge. “Reducing your water use will help maintain or extend water supply during the repairs—for yourself and, importantly, for vulnerable and high-risk users including hospitals and care homes.”
The affected area spans the broader Dublin region and parts of neighbouring counties Wicklow and Kildare, encompassing a significant portion of the national population.
Uisce Éireann emphasised that while water supply remains stable for now, pressure could drop if demand spikes. The company is closely monitoring the network and will activate contingency plans if necessary to maintain supply to critical services.
The timing of the repair coincides with the August bank holiday, typically a period of high domestic water usage. Officials said the decision to schedule the works now was based on the urgent need to address damage to the pipeline, which could have triggered a much larger crisis if left unattended.
“We fully appreciate the inconvenience this causes, especially during a long weekend,” said Attridge. “But the consequences of a full pipeline rupture would be far more disruptive.”
Crews have been working through the night, with engineers coordinating around-the-clock operations to complete the repairs within the scheduled window.
Updates on the progress of the repair and any potential impacts on water supply will be provided via Uisce Éireann’s website and social media channels.
The utility has also thanked the public for their cooperation and reminded customers that even small reductions in usage can make a significant difference in preserving supply throughout the repair period.
