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# water worries
Water supplies running low in many areas due to dry weather
There are shortages in parts of Donegal, Galway and Westmeath.
WATER SUPPLIES ACROSS Ireland are running low due to exceptionally dry weather.
A spokesperson for Ervia – Irish Water’s parent company – said that exceptionally dry weather last winter and at the beginning of this year had led to the shortage.
“Low rainfall for several months, especially through the winter period, will have a knock on effect on available raw water supplies across the country in coming months,” the spokesperson said.
Due to unseasonably dry weather over a number of months and throughout last winter, Irish Water has advised consumers to conserve and minimise water usage for the foreseeable future in a number of locations.
These locations include parts of Donegal, Galway and Westmeath.
Irish Water said that it had imposed water restrictions at times of lower demand in areas where water supplies are “seriously compromised”.
It said that it was working with the local authorities to find and repair leaks in the affected areas and prioritising those that would have the greatest impact.
The areas affected most seriously are outlined below.
In Donegal, consumers connected from both the Lough Colm source which serves the Milford, Kerrykeel, Rathmullan, and Ramelton areas, and also the Lough Fad source which serves Quigley’s Point, Redcastle, Moville and part of Greencastle have been asked to conserve as much water as possible due to local shortages.
In Galway, nighttime restrictions on the island of Inis Oirr from 11pm to 7am will remain in place for the foreseeable future. People are being asked to conserve water on the island.
A spokesperson said that customers on the Williamstown supply in Galway have been asked to conserve treated water supply as the reservoir levels have reached a critical point.
“Demand is currently very high on the scheme and customers are advised they may experience low pressure while demand continues to exceed supply,” Irish Water said.
No restrictions have been imposed on Williamstown as of yet.
In Westmeath, Irish Water has advised customers to continue to conserve water usage for the foreseeable future due to exceptionally low levels of raw water from Lough Owel.
Read: Water services return to Cork city after burst pipe cuts off supply
Read: ‘Unseasonably dry weather’ to blame for ramping up of water restrictions
