Homes in Wicklow and parts of south Co Dublin are expected to be without water today because of a shutdown at Roundwood water treatment works. The areas affected include Bray and Wicklow town, Kilpedder, Greystones, Rathnew and Kilmacanogue as well as homes in and around Ballyman Road, Ferndale Road and Old Connaught Avenue.
Water supply from the treatment facility was stopped yesterday evening to allow for upgrade works and is not expected to return until 10pm tonight. Some areas will experience only a severe loss of water pressure during the shutdown, but for most there will be a total loss of supply.
A spokesman for Dublin City Council, which operates the Roundwood plant, said the water was cut off so that the main outlet pipe could be cut and replaced. "We are carrying out the work overnight in order to minimise disruption and we are hopeful that supplies will be returned well within the time specified," he said.
Improvement work at the Roundwood plant is expected to continue into the middle of next year but is unlikely to cause such major disruption to supply again.
Residents in the affected areas are asked not to run washing machines or dishwashers. They are also advised to turn off taps to avoid flooding when the water supply resumes.