Irish Water has urged the public to conserve water to ensure a consistent supply as staycation season is set to enter its busiest period over July and August.
The authority is predicting an increase in domestic and commercial demand for water over the coming months.
It asks customers to take some simple measures to conserve water in their homes, businesses and farms.
How to conserve water
It claims small changes can have lasting results. For example:
- Take a shorter shower and save up to 10 litres of water per minute;
- When brushing your teeth or shaving, turn off the tap. Save up to 6 litres of water per minute;
- Fix dripping taps or leaking toilets in your home;
- Save and reuse water collected from baths, showers, and hand basins in the garden;
- Avoid using paddling pools;
- In the garden, use a rose head watering can instead of a hose and aim for the roots;
- If you need to wash your car, use a bucket and sponge instead of a hose;
- Report any leaks to Irish Water at 1800 278 278.
Conserve water in homes, businesses and on farms
Tom Cuddy, Irish Water’s head of asset operations, said: “We would like to wish the Irish public well as they enjoy some well-deserved staycations this summer.”
“We are continuing to work with our local authority partners to ensure everyone enjoys a reliable water supply during the busy summer period and beyond.”
Also, Irish Water asks the public to take note of their water usage and conserve where possible.
“Conserving water is something that we should be doing year-round, not just when supplies come under pressure due to drought conditions and seasonal increases in demand.”
“As demand increases, we are appealing to the public to redouble their efforts in conserving water in the home, in the garden, at work and on the farm – especially during the busy months of July and August when staycations will be at a peak and demand is expected to soar.”
He said this applies particularly to tourist hotspots in popular coastal regions and tourist destinations throughout the country.
“As rivers, lakes and groundwater levels reduce through the summer and autumn period, there is less water available for supply. At the same time, the warmer weather gives rise to increased water demands for domestic, agricultural and leisure uses.”
Water conservation tips
He provided the following tips:
- Leave the hose and the pressure washer in the shed;
- Do not use paddling pools;
- Reuse household water for the garden;
- Take shorter showers.
“Safeguarding the supply of water is essential at this time when handwashing and hygiene are of critical importance. We are calling on everyone to play their part.”
Irish Water stated it has been carefully monitoring all of its raw water sources. That is the water from lakes, rivers, springs and ground sources that feed our water treatment plants.
“Nighttime restrictions have been used in a small number of locations across the country to ensure a consistent daytime supply for all.”
While the public is being asked to conserve, it confirmed that it currently has no plans to implement a water conservation order.
Supply/demand balance
Tom continued: “In Irish Water, we are continually working with our local authority partners to look at what we call the supply/demand balance.”
“This means that we need to ensure that we can supply more treated drinking water than is required for use.”
The authority can manage this by:
- Conserving water;
- Losing less by repairing leaks;
- Also, supplying smarter by ensuring that all plants are working optimally.
“We can all work together to protect our supplies and safeguard our water for essential usage,” he concluded.
