Corporation says no water crisis yet

SPRING'S sprung early this year, and the stretches of early-year sunshine have put smiles on many a face.

Meteorologists tell us that March was extraordinarily dry, yet although it was pleasantly sunny throughout much of the country, temperatures remained relatively low.

According to Mr Colm McGaughey, of Dublin Corporation's waterworks department, rainfall at the reservoir in Ballymore Eustace was only 18 per cent of the average seen over the past 20 years. However, water levels are about normal in the Blessington reservoir, which supplies almost 60 per cent of Dublin's water.

His colleague, Mr David Ryan, who is responsible for the reservoir in Roundwood, comments: "At present there's no crisis, but if we get another four weeks of this weather, it might be time to start sounding the alarm."