Crews are trying to mitigate the impact on households.

Regional Infrastructure Delivery Lead, Eunan Canavan says the current overused system is not capable of holding excess water during heavy rain periods.

The Athlone Main Drainage Project involves the construction of new pumping stations at Golden Island and Coosan West, and almost 3km of new sewers.

Sue McMillan says the fact Irish Water were aware repairs were being carried out, and the colouring of the water had been impacted, customers should have been notified.