Farmers fearful of the impact of a planned temporary disruption to water supplies in parts of north Kilkenny and south Laois got word as late as 5pm on Monday that the planned Uisce Éireann maintenance works had been postponed.

Monday witnessed growing farmer concerns in the areas of Galmoy, Co Kilkenny and Rathdowney, Co Laois that animal welfare issues would result from any curtailment from farms’ access to water during continued heatwave conditions.

Galmoy and adjoining areas are especially dependant on mains water as the development of a mine in the 1990s required dewatering, pushing farm water supplies away from wells.

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Uisce Éireann’s planned maintenance works on the group water scheme are to go ahead at a later date due to the intervention of farmers and elected representatives concerned for the welfare of livestock in the area.

Farmers in the dark

Local farmer Tom Phelan was among the those who had been unaware of the pending disruption to water supplies on Monday.

Uisce Éireann generally notifies those impacted just 24 hours before planned works begin.

“There were no letters in the door. I only found out about from a neighbour who had signed up for text notifications yesterday,” Phelan told the Irish Farmers Journal.

Phelan contacted the Department of Agriculture and subsequently the local Regional Veterinary Office to voice his and other farmers’ fears for the area “well-populated with cows and other stock”.

“I lodged a complaint with Uisce Éireann and was told that this was logged and would be responded to within five business days, but other than that, Uisce Éireann had no-one to go to and anyone you talked to didn’t seem to have common sense.

The Irish Farmers Journal has reached out to Uisce Éireann for comment.

Department advice

On Tuesday, the Department advised that farmers may need to increase the number of livestock watering points and up water flow to troughs during the current spell of hot weather.

Farmers have been reminded to more frequently check drinking points to ensure they are working with adequate water pressure as livestock's demand for water has increased.