Hosepipe ban 'increasingly likely' amid drought conditions

Irish Water has confirmed today (Tuesday) that it is 'increasingly likely' a Water Conservation Order, more commonly known as a hosepipe ban, will have to be put in place amid increased demand on water and deteriorating drought conditions.

This comes during the ongoing Covid-19 crisis in which handwashing and hygiene remain critically important.

Average usage in the Greater Dublin Area is around 580 million litres, but on Saturday last it reached 607 million litres - an increase equivalent of the daily usage of around 200,000 people.

Of Irish Water’s 900 drinking water schemes, 16 currently are in drought and 38 are at risk of going into drought. The weather forecast is for continued dry conditions which will exacerbate the situation and Irish Water’s data shows spikes of water usage on very sunny days.

Two weeks ago, Irish Water, urged the public to choose handwashing over power washing as domestic water usage increased by an average of 20% as more people were staying at home in response to the Covid-19 crisis.

Advertisements are currently running on radio and social media advising the public on tips to save water in the garden and in the home.

Now the increased domestic demand and increase in commercial demand, as businesses are reopening, is being exacerbated by warm weather and the widespread emergence of drought conditions.

Speaking about the developing situation, the Water Engineer in Irish Water John Gavin said: "We are appealing to the public to redouble their efforts in conserving water in the home and in the garden.

"With so many people staying at home during the Covid-19 crisis, domestic demand for water increased by 20% at a time when our water treatment plants were working at maximum capacity.

"The decrease in the commercial use of water could not offset the increase in domestic demand. Some of our highest water users include hospitals, food and pharmaceutical manufacturing and data centres, all of which used the same amount of water as normal during the Covid-19 crisis."

"The prolonged dry weather has exacerbated the demand on water. A drought means that the water sources like rivers, lakes, springs and ground water that supply the treatment plants are struggling, so at a time when all of the water we produce is being used, the amount we can produce is under threat in several areas around the country."

Discussing the situation in Westmeath, Mr Gavin said Irish Water, in partnership with Westmeath County Council and Waterways Ireland, was continuing to monitor the water levels of the Lough Owel which supplies water to Portloman Water Treatment plant serving approximately 50,000 customers in Mullingar and surrounds.

"Water levels in Lough Owel are falling and whilst are not at critically low levels experienced previously, levels remain a cause for concern," he said.

"It will be necessary to impose night-time restrictions from tonight in some parts of Castlepollard, Delvin and Coole areas tonight due to high demand.

"Imposing a Water Conservation Order is not a measure that Irish Water wants to take but it is increasingly likely that we will have to do so. It is essential that our water supply is protected if we are to avoid restrictions and outages over the coming weeks and months."

Tips for conserving water can be found at: water.ie