Midleton Faces Week of Overnight Water Restrictions Due to Drought

Residents and businesses in Midleton will experience overnight water supply interruptions from 10pm to 7am starting tonight, as Uisce Éireann implements emergency measures to conserve dwindling water reserves amid ongoing drought conditions affecting the East Cork town.

The restrictions, which begin tonight (Monday, 25 August) and continue until Monday morning, 1 September, are necessary to ensure daytime water supply remains available for homes and businesses throughout the week. The measures come as drought conditions continue to strain the Midleton Water Supply Scheme's operational capacity.

During the restricted hours, customers in the Midleton area may experience complete interruptions to their water supply or significantly reduced water pressure. The restrictions form part of broader conservation efforts, with a Water Conservation Order remaining in effect across Cork County, excluding Cork city, until Tuesday, 16 September.

Niall O'Riordan, Uisce Éireann's Water Operations Manager, acknowledged the difficulties these measures would cause:

"We understand the inconvenience nighttime restrictions can cause to communities; however, given the increased demand they are essential to maintain a daytime water supply for homes and businesses while we allow reservoir levels time to recover."

The utility company is encouraging residents to prepare for the nightly interruptions by filling containers with water before 10pm and planning accordingly for overnight water needs. Those with medical requirements or vulnerable household members should make appropriate arrangements.

Uisce Éireann has urged customers to continue water conservation efforts during daytime hours. Simple measures include using watering cans instead of hosepipes for gardens, washing cars with buckets rather than running water, taking shorter showers, and ensuring dishwashers and washing machines are fully loaded before use.

Businesses are being advised to conduct water audits, appoint water stewards, and invest in water-saving devices to help reduce overall demand on the system during this challenging period.

For those needing updates or experiencing issues, Uisce Éireann's customer care helpline operates 24/7 on 1800 278 278. The company also offers a free text alert service for real-time updates, which customers can access by registering their Eircode and mobile number on the Uisce Éireann website.

The current drought conditions affecting Midleton reflect broader water supply challenges across the county, with reservoir levels struggling to recover despite conservation efforts. The overnight restrictions represent a significant escalation in water management measures for the East Cork town, which hasn't faced such extensive limitations in recent years.

Residents are reminded that while the restrictions officially end on Monday morning, the broader Water Conservation Order continues for another fortnight, suggesting that further measures may be necessary if drought conditions persist or worsen.