Residents and businesses in the city centre were left without water on Wednesday morning after contractors carrying out “upgrade works” between High Street and Shop Street struck a watermain.

Affected hairdressers, publicans, and restaurateurs were “in a state of panic” as the taps ran dry, according to a local councillor, who said there had been difficulty getting information on when supply would be restored.

Cllr Níall McNelis said the incident occurred early on Wednesday and while Irish Water moved quickly to resolve the problem, there was a vacuum of information for the early part of the day.

“Business owners were contacting me because they were finding it extremely difficult to get information – they were panicking.

“What appears to have happened is the workers carrying out the upgrade of the pedestrian area hit a pipe. They’re operating in a very awkward space down there at the moment,” he said.

“This has added to people’s frustration over the works which seem to be progressing – they’re getting there,” said Cllr McNelis.

In a statement to the Galway City Tribune, Irish Water – which has been rebranded as Uisce Éireann – said as of 4pm on Wednesday, supply had been restored.

“Repairs to a burst watermain caused supply disruptions at Abbeygate Street, Quay Street, Cross Street, Shop Street and surrounding areas in Galway City.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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