Impact of drought being felt in 17 of State’s water treatment plants

Seventeen of the country’s water treatment plants are experiencing drought conditions, according to Uisce Éireann, which is asking customers to conserve water.

Water treatment plants in Wexford, Clare, Tipperary, Limerick, Kerry, Cork, and Galway are experiencing the full effect of the recent dry spell of weather.

Uisce Éireann says it has been maintaining the supply of water at these reservoirs by bringing water in tankers to keep the water levels at a certain height. Most of its 711 water treatment plants are operating as normal.

However, in areas such as Clonakility in Cork and Inis Oírr in Galway, the water authority has introduced night-time restrictions and/or pressure reductions to maintain the supply of water. This ensures a consistent supply of drinking water for customers during the day and enables reservoir levels to recover at night.

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Uisce Éireann has no plans to introduce a hose-pipe ban or water restrictions but instead is emphasising ways to conserve water during the hot weather.

[ Ireland could see even hotter conditions next weekend, with many areas already in drought ]

[ Record rainfall across Ireland in March with south and east wettest, Met Éireann confirms ]

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Uisce Éireann’s head of asset operations Tom Cuddy said: “We are beginning to see the impact of the long spell of dry weather on some supplies around the country. With no significant rainfall forecast in the short term, we can all play our part in ensuring there is enough water for everyone as we go through the summer.”

He added: “Even small changes can make a significant difference.”

Uisce Éireann is advising customers to take shorter showers and turn off the tap when brushing their teeth. They should water plants in the evening to avoid evaporation and save and reuse water collected from baths and showers for the garden.

For more tips on how to conserve water and use the conservation calculator, visit the Uisce Éireann website and to report any visible water leaks, contact the utility on 1800-278278.