West Cork holiday spots hit by water restrictions

Uisce Éireann is restricting night-time supplies to Lisheens, Baltimore, Sherkin Island, Ballydehob, Schull, and Heir Island

The West Cork Uisce Éireann water restrictions are affecting the catchment area supplied from the Abbeystrowry Reservoir to give it 'breathing space'. Stock picture

A number of popular Cork holiday spots are set to be without water each night until Saturday due to what Uisce Éireann has described as “essential restrictions”.

The water utility said that services would be restricted in specific catchment areas in order to give the supply from the Abbeystrowry Reservoir “breathing space” to replenish itself in the wake of increased summer demand.

The areas affected are Lisheens, Baltimore, Sherkin Island, Ballydehob, Schull, and Heir Island.

Uisce Éireann said the restrictions would be in place between 10pm and 7am each night until Saturday, August 9.

A spokesperson for the company asked that customers take steps to conserve water, including shutting off taps while brushing teeth, or by keeping a jug of water in the fridge rather than running a tap until the water runs cold — efforts which alone could save up to 16 litres of water per day.

A water conservation order is in force until September 16 for the whole of Cork county, excluding the city.

Uisce Éireann said the new restrictions are necessary in order to maintain water supply to industry, residences, and commercial premises during business hours.

“We are consistently monitoring the supply and we do understand the inconvenience that the restrictions may cause, and we would like to apologise to customers and thank them for their patience,” Michael Bell, water operations manager with Uisce Éireann, said.