Uisce Éireann is to increase its stock of mobile generators in the wake of Storm Éowyn, with an additional 100 generators to be purchased immediately.

This is among the measures being taken by Uisce Éireann to enhance the water and wastewater network resilience following Storm Éowyn.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne recently met with representatives from Uisce Éireann to discuss the response to the storm and the impact on customers.

Ahead of the storm, Uisce Éireann activated its dedicated crisis and risk management structures in order to minimise customer impact and to protect public health.

Through the pre-emptive deployment of backup generators, the supply to almost 400,000 customers was maintained with onsite generation.

However, the unprecedented nature of the power outages following Storm Éowyn meant that at the peak of the storm 130,000 customers were without water.

Uisce Éireann is currently undertaking a review of the lessons learned from the storm and the improvements that are necessary to improve its crisis response capability. This review will be completed by end of February.

Along with buying an additional 100 mobile generators, the minister asked Uisce Éireann to accelerate its programme to make sites “generator ready”.

To date, this programme has primarily focused on treatment plants, but it will now be expanded to include reservoirs and pumping stations.

An additional 100 sites are to be made “generator ready” in 2025 with a further 500 sites to be added through 2026 and 2027.

Minister Browne said that as these storms are becoming more regular and more destructive, there is a need to take immediate action to increase the resilience of the water and wastewater network.

“Uisce Éireann has demonstrated the value of a national utility approach in achieving effective management of major water services emergencies with its capability enhanced with the experience gained from, successive weather and other events.

"Following Storm Éowyn at the peak 130,000 customers were without water and 11 precautionary boil water notices were put in place impacting circa 11,500 customers. All of these have now been lifted and connections restored," he said.

Niall Gleeson, Uisce Éireann chief executive, said that the utility appreciates the support of Minister Browne.

“We met with Minister Browne last week and provided a comprehensive update on the extensive efforts of our staff to manage the impact of Storm Éowyn on communities throughout Ireland – and how we focussed on minimising customer impact and protecting public health to the greatest extent possible," he said.