High demand prompts water conservation appeal across South Leitrim
Uisce Éireann says warm weather has pushed water demand above treatment capacity, urging homes, businesses and farmers across South Leitrim to conserve supplies.
Uisce Éireann is asking customers across South Leitrim to conserve water as increased demand during the current spell of warm weather means supplies are being used faster than water can be treated.
While raw water sources remain stable, the higher level of demand is placing pressure on the treatment process.
As a result, treated water is being used more quickly than it can be produced and stored in local reservoirs.
Customers supplied by the South Leitrim Regional Water Supply Scheme are being encouraged to reduce water usage where possible to allow treated water reservoirs time to recover. This will help maintain a consistent supply for homes and businesses across the county.
Periods of sustained high demand can lead to reduced water pressure and, in some cases, interruptions to supply for customers.
Speaking about the need to conserve water, Uisce Éireann’s Kevin Love explained that water use typically increases during warm spells due to greater demand for home maintenance, gardening, leisure activities, agriculture and tourism.
“There has been a noticeable increase in water use across Carrick-on-Shannon, Ballinamore, Keshkerrigan, Drumshanbo, Mohill, Carrigallen, Dromod, Roosky, and surrounding areas over the past week in this spell of good weather,” he said.
He noted that while raw water sources remain stable, demand is currently higher than the system can treat and supply. He added that Uisce Éireann crews have been repairing leaks in the Effrinagh, Lisdrumfarna, Drumcree, Ballinaboy, Drumkeilvy, Annaghmacullen and Oghill areas in recent days, with these bursts also impacting supply.
“We are asking customers to reduce their usage to give treated water reservoirs time to replenish. Even small changes, when taken across communities, can have a significant impact in maintaining supply for everyone.
“We would also ask farmers to be vigilant on their farms and to fix any leaking knocked over troughs so we can maintain consistent supply for all. A broken service connection can lose up to 20,000 litres in one day if left unattended. This is the equivalent to one day’s supply for 150 people,” Mr Love concluded.
More information on water conservation can be found at water.ie/conservation.
Tips to help conserve water include using a rose-head watering can instead of a hose or sprinkler, taking short showers instead of baths, only running washing machines and dishwashers with full loads, fixing dripping taps, and using a bucket and sponge rather than a hose when washing your car.