Limerick customers asked to conserve water where possible

Uisce Éireann is reminding the public to continue their efforts to conserve water in their homes, businesses and farms. Crews are working across the county to manage supplies in order to reduce any impact on customers. However, in order to manage supplies and ensure there is adequate water during the day, intermittent and night-time restrictions may be necessary in parts of the county. Areas affected may include:

Abbeyfeale, Athea, Newcastle West, Broadford, Dromcollogher, Ardagh, Ballingarry, Rathkeale, Castlemahon, Foynes, Glin, Tournafulla, Mountcollins, Templeglantine, Croom, Doon (Toomaline), Cappamore, Oola, Carrigmore, and Pallasgreen/Nicker/Barna.

Details of restrictions will be posted on the Supply and Service Updates section of our website. Customers can also contact us at 1800 278 278 if they have any specific issues or concerns.

Tom Cuddy, Uisce Éireann's Head of Asset Operations, said: "We would like to thank the public, both homes and businesses, for their great efforts to conserve water right across the country. Even though the weather is notably cooler this week, it is important that we all continue to be mindful of how we use water. The rainfall predicted this week may help some schemes in the short term but groundwater sources in particular are slower to recharge and many water supplies will remain under pressure. And with longer term forecasts predicting drier than normal conditions continue into August, this is likely to remain the situation for a number of weeks.

"Across the country Uisce Éireann is working closely with our Local Authority partners to keep the taps flowing and we have put in place a range of measures including additional pumping at abstraction sources to increase supply of water, tankering water to reservoirs, changing networks to decrease the numbers of customers who could be impacted and in some cases reducing pressure at night-time to allow reservoirs to fill. In addition we have seen a number of major bursts as increases in demand and drying ground conditions contribute to pipes bursting. We would like to thank customers for their patience as we mobilise crews to repairs and restore supplies.

"There are currently no plans to implement a Water Conservation Order and the majority of our water treatment plants continue to provide unrestricted water supplies to customers despite the high levels of demand."

There are lots of helpful tips for conserving water on our website but the key things are to leave the hose and the pressure washer in the shed; don't use paddling pools; reuse household water for the garden; and take shorter showers. Safeguarding the supply of water is essential at this time when handwashing and hygiene is of critical importance. We are calling on everyone to play their part."

Conserving water is something that we should be doing year round, not just when supplies come under pressure due to drought conditions and seasonal increases in demand. Small changes can have lasting results.

For example:

• Take a shorter shower and save up to 10 litres of water per minute       
• Fix dripping taps or leaking toilets in your home
• When brushing your teeth or shaving, turn off the tap and save up to 6 litres of water per minute
• Save and reuse water collected from baths, showers, and hand basins in the garden
• Avoid using paddling pools
• In the garden use a rose head watering can instead of a hose and aim for the roots
• If you need to wash your car, use a bucket and sponge instead of a hose
• Report any leaks to us at 1800 278 278.

Uisce Éireann continues to work at this time with our Local Authority partners, contractors and others to safeguard the health and well-being of staff and the public and to ensure the continuity of drinking water and wastewater services. With the continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic, the public are reminded to adhere to public health and HSE advice, and handwashing and hygiene remain critically important. Further water conservation information is available on the Conservation section of our website.