The Water Forum calls for a government-led national strategy for water conservation

A secure supply of high-quality drinking water is essential for the health of every citizen and is critical for future economic growth and development. The population in Ireland is set to rise by up to 40% by 2050 yet Uisce Éireann states that 58% of water supply zones have a supply risk even at current levels of water demand. 

After a few weeks of dry weather in May and June this year, water supplies are under increasing pressure due to increased water demand, over a period of warm, dry weather. The latest news on Uisce Eireann’s website highlights many counties across Ireland are having supply issues, where Uisce Eireann is urging communities to conserve water.

There are many water supplies requiring localised water conservation measures, including overnight water restrictions in places in Tipperary, Cork, Kilkenny and Waterford, or tankering water to reservoirs in parts of Clare and Limerick. 

In 2018 and 2020, we required national water restrictions in Ireland, including hosepipe bans following extended periods of dry weather. Climate change in Ireland will result in decreased rainfall in summer with longer dry and drought periods, adding additional pressure to water supply.

The Government has committed to building 33,000 homes every year for the next 10 years. This along with increasing population and greater economic activity will put additional demands on water resources. 

Climate change is predicted to reduce water availability, particularly in the south and east of the country. Making new homes water efficient could reduce domestic water demand by 20% and thus provide water savings and reduce pressure on supplies.

“We sometimes forget that the water from our taps has been taken from a local river, lake or well and undergone a costly process of treatment and pumping before it reaches our homes,” says Dr Matt Crowe of the National Water Forum. “We need to pay a lot more attention to conserving this precious and expensive resource so that there is an adequate supply available as our population increases and our climate changes. At a minimum, we need to ensure that all new homes are built to be water efficient”, added.

Building Regulations should be updated to include mandatory water efficiency targets for new buildings, which could include water efficiency measures such as low flow showerheads, aerated taps, dual flush toilets, or Rainwater harvesting as a means of meeting those targets. 

These could reduce water demand in new buildings and provide energy saving benefits, reduce costs to the taxpayer for abstracting and treating water, and help protect the aquatic environment from over-abstraction. Saving water will reduce demand and ease pressure on supplies. 

The Water Forum believes that the Government needs a committed strategy for water conservation that includes a programme of actions to implement water saving measures nationally. A national water conservation team should be established to develop and implement this government-led water conservation strategy.