Emergency operation under way as two Aran Islands hit by shortages

An emergency operation will get under way today to transport massive amounts of drinking water to Inis Meáin, the middle of the three Aran Islands, after the water table on the island fell to drastically low levels.

Neighbouring Inis Oírr is also running low on its water supplies and a decision on ferrying water there is dependent on whether there is sufficient rainfall over the next few weeks.

The islands’ limestone terrain makes it difficult for rainwater to be retained for use and much of it seeps away, causing annual shortages.

The recent fine weather has led to restrictions on the water supply on both Inis Meáin and Inis Oírr in June and July. Most recently, Galway County Council imposed daily restrictions from 10am to 6pm and from 8am to 8pm respectively in an attempt to retain sufficient supplies.

In a message on its website, the council said it regretted taking the measure but there was “no other option at present to ensure a supply remains available”.

The continuing sunny weather has forced the council’s hand and, in conjunction with Irish Water, emergency supplies will be ferried from the port of Rossaveal to Inis Meáin this morning. On average, 50,000 gallons a day will be transported to the island, by the cargo ferry company Lasta Mara Teoranta. The water will be taken from the public supply in Rossaveal.

The water shortage could not have come at a worse time for Inis Meáin. The island is packed with holidaymakers and tourism businesses are struggling to provide the basic water-based necessities.

The Inis Meáin Restaurant took matters into its own hands a couple of years ago when it installed its own tank and processing facility to ensure it could cater for its customers.

‘Inconvenience’

“It is a huge problem on the island and we had to close our business for a couple of days when we installed our own tank. It was a huge inconvenience and not ideal but it was something we needed to do.

“It is peak season for us and we are very busy. If water was to be rationed further it would be a problem for everyone,” said a restaurant spokesperson.

There are no issues with the water supply to the biggest of the three Aran Islands, Inis Mór.

Meanwhile, on the east coast advisory notices have been placed on several beaches over concerns about bathing water quality following last weekend’s wet weather.

Fingal County Council has advised the public not to swim on 12 beaches while Wicklow County Council has issued an advisory notice about water quality in Bray.

The beaches affected in Fingal are: Balbriggan, Loughshinny, Skerries north, Skerries south, Balcarrick, The Brook, Tower Bay, Malahide, Velvet Strand, The Burrow, Claremont and Hampton Cove.

A spokeswoman for the council said the recent “horrendous” weather caused a pumping station to overflow, meaning untreated rainwater flowed straight out to sea without first going through waste water treatment. She said samples of water have been taken from the beaches for testing, the results of which are expected tomorrow. Test results in Wicklow are due by the end of the week.