360,000 Homes Could Still Lose Water Supply In Aftermath Of Ophelia

While 20,000 people are currently without water due to power loss in pumping stations and water treatment centres, a further 360,000 people could lose water if power is not restored by lunchtime.

Catherine Walsh, Crisis Management coordinator with Irish Water told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland that "the main impact of the storm has been the loss of power to treatment plants and stations. This impacts on customers where there isn’t storage in a reservoir or where water quality can’t be guaranteed.

“We also have burst pipes which can only be repaired once the situation is safe.”

The counties that have been worst affected are Waterford, Galway, Leitrim, Cork, Kerry, Wexford, and parts of Westmeath and Cavan.

45 schemes are without water, but double that could be down by midday if electricity isn't restored.

“We have about 92 schemes that are at risk, serving around 360,000 people or thereabouts", Catherine added.

“We could lose water supply if power isn’t restored by about lunchtime. We’re using generators until we have power.

“We are working to prevent that.”