Irish Water has reiterated their plea to members of the public to conserve water as drought conditions continues across the country and National Water Conservation Order Comes into effect
The National Water Conservation Order came into effect this morning and is currently in place until midnight on 31 July 2018.
Due to depleting water levels in rivers, lakes and ground water sources which supply water treatment plants the scope of this Order is being kept under review.
Irish Water will continue to analyse water consumption levels nationally over the weekend and early next week to assess demand for water with the National Water Conservation Order in place.
The current average water consumption demand in the Greater Dublin Area is 580 million litres per day, though down on the peak levels last week and within the safe production capacity of the plants.
81 water schemes are at risk of drought and water restrictions are in place in a further 27 locations. Irish Water’s Corporate Affairs Manager Kate Gannon addressed the need for conservation:
“We are really grateful for the measures that people have taken to conserve water so far and we hope that the National Water Conservation Order (hosepipe ban) will continue to make people more mindful of their responsibilities and the impact their water usage is having on their neighbours and communities. We know that the vast majority of people are supporting the ban, though we have reports of around 40 incidents of hosepipe usage in contravention of it and we again appeal to those people to comply with these essential minimum measures to safeguard our water supplies.
“Our Drought Management team are meeting daily to assess and analyse water demand and consumption levels for every area in the country. As water levels continue to deplete in rivers and lakes and groundwater sources run dry, we will assess if further restrictions are required to help protect water supplies now and for the months ahead. Met Éireann has forecast that high temperatures will remain for the foreseeable future and this highlights the need for everyone to play their part and conserve water as much as possible, to follow our advice and tips and to comply with the Water Conservation Order in place.”
Water volume in Irelands rivers and lakes is rapidly decreasing due to the long dry spell. This image of Lough Guitane which supplies 55,000 people in Kerry shows the current water level. Three weeks ago the water was at the base of the rocks. Please continue to #ConserveWater pic.twitter.com/33NsDX4naO
— Irish Water (@IrishWater) July 6, 2018
