Published: Wednesday, 30th December, 2009 6:00pm

Cold snap causes water shortage just weeks after serious flooding

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Just weeks after the town of Athlone was devastated by flooding it appears there is now a shortage of water across Westmeath due to the freezing weather, with the Leinster side of Athlone facing cuts to water supply each night for the next week.

Westmeath County Council is switching off water supply at Annagh Reservoir, as well as in areas in north Westmeath, from 8pm to 8am each day in a bid to conserve water.

The council is struggling to cope with water shortages caused by burst mains and increased usage across the county. Annagh Reservoir serves large areas on the Leinster side of Athlone, including Coosan and the Ballymahon Road.

Director of Services for Water with the council Ray Kenny told the Westmeath Independent yesterday (Tuesday) that there were two burst mains in Sarsfield Square and one in Coosan, but the council was working to repair them. He added that the council had also repaired a burst main in Moate on Monday.

Mr Kenny explained that there were two repair crews working in the Athlone area and two working in north Westmeath, trying to identify leaks and repair them.

However, he added that the water shortage was not simply down to leaks and bursts and urged people not to leave taps running.

Mr Kenny said: "The issue seems to be, in all of the district metred areas across the county, that the amount of water we're putting in has gone up.

People are leaving taps running and that's putting huge pressure on the system."