West Cork Faces Five Nights of Water Restrictions as Summer Demand Peaks

Thousands of homes and businesses across West Cork will experience overnight water restrictions for the next five nights as Uisce Éireann battles to maintain daytime supplies during peak summer demand and continuing dry weather.

The restrictions, affecting areas from Baltimore to Schull, will see water supplies cut from 10pm to 7am starting tonight (Wednesday, 13 August) through to Monday morning, 18 August. The measures are necessary to allow the Abbeystrowry Reservoir near Skibbereen time to replenish overnight, ensuring businesses, homes and essential services have water during daytime hours.

Areas affected by the restrictions include Lisheens, Baltimore, Sherkin Island, Ballydehob, Schull and Heir Island. Meanwhile, Crookhaven residents face a double challenge: low water pressure until 5pm tomorrow due to treatment plant maintenance, followed by the same overnight restrictions from Thursday evening.

Michael Bell, Water Network Operations Manager at Uisce Éireann, said:

"The restriction during the night-time hours is to ensure minimal disruption to customers. We are mindful of the duration of the restrictions, but it is essential to safeguard continuous daytime supply and allow the reservoir the breathing space to replenish."

This marks the second round of restrictions this month for the Abbeystrowry supply, following a shorter period of overnight cuts from 7 to 9 August. Mr Bell confirmed that the reservoir had "sufficiently replenished" during that earlier restriction period, suggesting the measures are proving effective.

The timing couldn't be more challenging for West Cork's tourism-dependent communities, with visitor numbers at their seasonal peak and accommodation providers facing the prospect of explaining water outages to guests. The popular sailing and tourist destinations of Baltimore, Schull and the islands are particularly vulnerable to supply issues during the busy summer months.

Uisce Éireann is urging customers to embrace water conservation measures, noting that simple actions can make a significant difference. Turning off taps while brushing teeth can save six litres per minute, whilst keeping a jug of water in the fridge rather than running the cold tap can save 10 litres daily.

Customers may notice discoloured water each morning when supply resumes. Running the cold kitchen tap for several minutes should restore clarity, and the water remains safe to drink once clear. Those experiencing persistent issues can contact Uisce Éireann's 24/7 helpline on 1800 278 278.

The restrictions come as Cork County remains under a Water Conservation Order until 16 September, highlighting the ongoing pressure on water infrastructure during what has been an exceptionally dry period. With climate patterns suggesting more frequent dry spells ahead, these overnight restrictions may become an unwelcome but necessary feature of West Cork summers.

Uisce Éireann will continuously monitor supplies throughout the restriction period. Real-time updates are available at water.ie, and customers can sign up for free text alerts using their Eircode.

Michael Bell added:

"We do understand the inconvenience that the restrictions may cause, and we would like to apologise to customers and thank them for their patience."