Birr water supply almost back to normal

The recent cold snap and dry spell has led to water supply problems for many households and businesses around Birr. The water supply is now almost back to normal according to Offaly County Council yesterday, after the bad weather caused a mains pipe to burst, while the lack of rain over the past few weeks caused the water levels in the reservoir to drop very low. Homes and businesses on higher ground were mostly affected. At the start of this week, the council provided water tankards at Grove Hill, Hollypark, Derrinduff, McCauley Drive, Burke"s Hill and Scurragh. Parts of the town were experiencing supply problems since last Friday. Last summer, following water shortage problems in Birr that led to the water being shut off for up to eight hours at night, Offaly County Council said that over the next 12 months they will be looking at the upgrading of the system and the gradual installation of water meters. The Birr network is well past its shelf life and has many leakages.