Water conservation order to be extended to Donegal for a month

The public across Co. Donegal have been asked to avoid non-essential water use as hot weather and low rainfall intensify pressure on supplies across the country

An existing order, which is already in place for Dublin, South Tipperary and parts of Kildare, Meath, Wexford and Wicklow, is being extended to all of the 26 Counties.

The nationwide extension is being introduced to help protect public water supplies now and in the months ahead for homes, businesses, farms, hospitals, vulnerable customers and essential services.

The order will be in place from midnight on Friday, July 24, until Wednesday, August 26.

The recent hot weather predicted to continue, combined with low rainfall, is driving exceptionally high demand and intensifying pressure on water sources and treated drinking water supplies, said Uisce Éireann.

In recent weeks, Uisce Éireann introduced a number of measures across Co Donegal to maintain and protect supplies. This included enhanced leakage repair works, pressure management, and public water conservation campaigns, in an effort to reduce demand to sustainable levels. Restrictions remain in place on the Lough Mourne and Pettigo public water supply schemes impacting supply to customers in the Twin Towns, Crossroads, Convoy, Lifford, Raphoe, Rossgier, Pettigo and surrounding areas overnight. Customers in these areas are urged to continue using water responsibly to help safeguard supplies.

Anthony Skeffington, Water Regional Operations Senior Manager with Uisce Éireann, said: “We are asking everyone across Co Donegal to use only what they need and to avoid any non-essential water use until conditions improve.

“Early indications show that people are supporting the Water Conservation Order already in place, with water usage in the Greater Dublin Area beginning to decrease. I want to thank everyone who has taken steps to conserve water. This is making a difference, but pressures remain high and we are now asking people across the country to continue reducing non-essential use.

“Every drop counts. Continued support from the public will help reduce pressure on supplies and keep water available for essential daily needs.”

The extended Order will apply to all households and is being extended because raw water sources in many areas around the country are coming under increasing pressure following a prolonged period of exceptionally hot and dry weather.

Met Éireann’s extended range forecast indicates that temperatures are expected to remain above average and rainfall below average in the period ahead.

The order prohibits the use of a hosepipe or similar apparatus for activities such as watering a garden, cleaning a private motor vehicle, cleaning a private leisure boat, filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool, filling or maintaining a domestic pond, excluding fish ponds, and filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain, except where required for commercial purposes.

Uisce Éireann is continuing to ask customers to take practical steps to conserve water at home, including taking shorter showers, fixing leaks and leaking toilets, and avoiding the use of hosepipes or sprinklers in the garden. Using a garden hose or sprinkler for just one hour can use more water than the average family uses in a full day.