Uisce Éireann appeals for public to conserve water

AS the temperatures start to soar after a wet summer, Uisce Éireann have renewed its appeal to the public to ‘Think Water Conservation’ as demand increases.

With warm, dry weather experienced by much of the country this week and with many people now back in school and work after the holidays, Uisce Éireann has seen an increase in demand for water.

As part of its annual campaign, Uisce Éireann is calling on households across the country to assess water usage habits and take practical steps to save water daily. The appeal comes in light of a survey which shows that 54 percent of Irish households still admit to wasting water.

While they are appealing for the public to conserve water, Uisce Éireann states there are no plans to introduce general water restrictions or hosepipe bans. The public has been asked to help play their part in protecting essential water supplies for their local communities, and to conserve water where possible.

Speaking of the importance of water conservation year-round, Anthony Skeffington, Uisce Éireann's North West Regional Operations Manager, said:

“We are experiencing a warm, dry, spell of weather this week, and, while it is great to see after a particularly wet summer, this brings its own unique set of challenges. Many of us will be enjoying these warm evenings in our gardens, however, it is important to remain conscious of our water usage habits throughout the year, regardless of the weather.

“Some urban areas tend to see increases in demand around this time of year as schools return and people come back to work after holidays. Also, as we come into autumn and winter, storms and other extreme weather can impact on the capacity to treat and produce clean drinking water. For this reason, water conservation is something we should think about year-round, not just during the summer.

“By working together to use only what we need in our homes, gardens, and businesses, we can all contribute to ensuring a sustainable water supply for everyone. We are encouraging communities all over Ireland to play their part and think about water conservation throughout the year,” he said.

Simple water saving tips include checking your water consuming appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers for any plumbing issues such as dripping joints or leaking supply hoses. Making sure the tap is off while brushing teeth can save 84 litres of water a week while reducing shower time by 60 seconds can save up to 120 litres of water every week.

Mr Skeffington also reminded the public that the Uisce Éireann Conservation Calculator is on hand to help households examine how much water they are currently using and identify changes they could make to reduce their use.

“The average water use of one person is 133 litres per day. The Conservation Calculator provides helpful advice for those wanting to ensure they use water responsibly to improve their score rating and is free for all households to use on our website. It offers practical advice on conserving water, to ensure we have a sustainable water supply for everyone in years to come. We are encouraging everyone to play their part with us and think about water conservation.”