Hosepipe ban for three towns set to start next week | Breaking News & Latest Ireland Updates

Hosepipe ban for three towns set to start next week — Environment Correspondent Uisce Éireann has announced a six-week-long hosepipe ban is to be introduced from next Tuesday in three areas because of his...

Environment Correspondent

Uisce Éireann has announced a six-week-long hosepipe ban is to be introduced from next Tuesday in three areas because of historically low water levels.

The areas are: Mullingar in Co Westmeath, Milford in Co Donegal, and Kells-Oldcastle in Co Meath.

The Water Conservation Order is to safeguard water supplies for essential purposes due to a sharp drop in water levels in the local lakes supplying these areas.

This follows significantly below average rainfall over the last seven months.

Met Éireann figures show cumulative rainfall since the start of October last year, in all three regions, is running 28% below normal.

This is equivalent to only five months of normal rainfall during a seven-month period and is the key reason why water supplies are so low.

Uisce Éireann says Lough Owel, which supplies the Mullingar Public Water Supply, is currently at its lowest level in 50 years.

Similarly, Lough Colmcille which supplies Milford in Donegal, and Lough Bane which supplies Kells-Oldcastle in Co Meath are also at historically low levels.

Uisce Éireann is also appealing to customers of all water supplies around the country to conserve water as we enter the summer months.

The hosepipe ban for the three supplies in counties Meath, Westmeath, and Donegal will come into effect from just after midnight next Tuesday 6 May. It will remain in place until 11.59pm on Monday 16 June.

The Water Conservation Order prohibits the use of garden hosepipes and other non-essential uses of water by domestic users and commercial premises for non-commercial activities.

This includes watering gardens attached to a business premises.

It will only apply to the three locations mentioned and not to the rest of the country.

Uisce Éireann concerned about 11 other water supplies

However, Uisce Éireann is also concerned about 11 other water supplies where it is currently implementing measures to maintain supplies.

These include supplies in parts of Kilkenny, Galway, Limerick, Kerry, and Tipperary.

The public water utility said that in recent weeks it had put in place a number of measures to maintain and protect water supplies in the three areas covered by the hosepipe ban.

Those measures included enhanced leakage repair works, pressure management and public water conservation campaigns to reduce the demand for water to sustainable levels.

Margaret Attridge, Head of Water Operations with Uisce Éireann, said: "Uisce Éireann's top priority is to protect our water supply for use in homes, businesses and essential services.

"The past 12 months have been drier than normal when compared to the long-term average.

"This means that some water sources which traditionally would have replenished over the winter period have not seen the same levels of recovery and, as a result, we are starting to experience issues with water availability at these sources."

"While the Water Conservation Order only applies to these three schemes, we are reminding all customers to be mindful of their use of water so that supplies can be protected, especially in areas where water resources are under pressure," she added.

"As we enter the summer months, warmer weather creates a surge in demand for water, for gardening, leisure and other purposes.

"However, using a hosepipe for one hour is the equivalent of the daily water usage of an average family and this is generally a non-essential use of water.

"We are asking everyone to play their part in conserving water and reporting leaks to help alleviate the pressure on our water supplies."

Ms Attridge said "there are lots of helpful tips for conserving water on water.ie but the key messages are to leave the hose and the pressure washer in the shed; reuse household water for the garden; and take shorter showers".

Members of the public can report any leaks in the public water network by contacting Uisce Éireann 24/7 at 1800 278 278 or on water.ie

The prohibited water uses during the hosepipe ban include the use of water drawn through a hosepipe or similar apparatus for the purpose of: