Uisce Éireann issues appeal to Mayo public to conserve water

In the midst of this week’s warm weather, Uisce Éireann has launched its water conservation campaign asking people in Mayo to conserve and help protect and preserve water supplies by adopting simple water saving practices at home, in the garden and at work.

The appeal comes as almost a third of Irish people admit to being completely disengaged with any form of water conservation.

While most reservoirs, rivers and ground water sources across the country recovered following a wet winter, warmer weather leads to increased demand for treated water, which can place pressure on water supplies across the country.

Some simple water-saving tips everyone can do to help protect supplies include the following: check that your home is leak free (check for running overflows and fix any dripping taps, cisterns or pipes); don’t let the tap run (brushing your teeth with the tap running can use up to a staggering six litres per minute, while brushing your teeth with the tap off will use a more modest one litre of water; take a shower instead of a bath (the average bath uses 80 litres of water, while a seven-minute shower uses just 49 litres); drop the hose during the summer months (use a rose head watering can to water your plants instead of a hose or sprinkler); install a water butt (use it to collect rainwater from your gutters for gardening or washing the yard); always ensure your dishwasher and washing machines are fully loaded (by ensuring they are fully loaded, not only will you conserve water, but you will also reduce your energy bills); and don’t flush it all away (a third of all water used in the home is flushed down the toilet but you can place a displacement device into the cistern, out of the way of moving parts, to save water).

To access the water conservation calculator or find out more about water conservation tips, visit www.water.ie/conservation.

DEMAND

Uisce Éireann’s regional operations senior manager for the north-west, Anthony Skeffington, explained that water use typically increases during warm spells due to higher demand for gardening, leisure activities and tourism.

“While reservoirs, rivers and ground water sources recovered earlier this year, that does not guarantee water security for all areas in the months ahead,” he said. “Our water system continues to face challenges from rising demand, and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns. Even where supplies are stable, a period of dry or warm weather can quickly place pressure on some areas.

“That’s why we’re reminding people that every individual water saving action counts and using only what you need really helps to make a positive contribution that can benefit everyone.”

Mr. Skeffington added: “A recent survey carried out for Uisce Éireann found that almost a third of people had no interest or awareness in water conservation. We’re committed to building greater understanding of, and respect for, our precious water resources, and that’s why we are launching this campaign.

“To support this, we have developed a suite of easy to use online resources, including a free water conservation calculator, which makes it easy for people to track their own and their family’s water use.”

Uisce Éireann continues to monitor supplies across the country and already proactive measures are being taken in a small number of areas to limit interruptions to water supply. Progress to reduce leakage, repair pipes and manage the water network more efficiently also continues alongside record investment in water infrastructure to increase resilience and capacity.

While significant progress has been made, challenges remain in parts of the country due to the age and condition of some infrastructure especially during peak demand periods.

Customers are encouraged to be alert to signs of leaks on their property, such as persistent damp patches on lawns or driveways. Uisce Éireann’s First Fix Free scheme provides a free repair for qualifying underground leaks on private property once identified. To report leaks on the public water network, customers can contact Uisce Éireann’s 24/7 helpdesk at 1800 278 278 or visit water.ie.