LATEST: People in parts of Kildare urged to save water due to lack of rain

ue to the current high demand for water as a result of the ongoing current warm spell, Uisce Éireann is urging communities across North Kildare to conserve water to protect supply and reduce the risk of outages.

Uisce Éireann is appealing to customers in Kilmeague, Roberstown, Prosperous, Blackwood, Allenwood, Derrinturn, Carbury and surrounding areas in particular, to conserve water to help preserve the supply and pressure for customers in elevated areas of Hawkfield and Pollardstown in Newbridge.

High usage can lead to pressure reductions on elevated ground which can impact the supply to customers. Supplies across the county are vulnerable to high demand during the summer-time and Uisce Éireann is thankful to communities and residents across Kildare for their conservation efforts to protect this pressure resource.  

Speaking about conserving water, Uisce Éireann’s Regional Asset Operations Lead, Kevin Love said: “We are appealing to customers to conserve water to give the reservoirs time to replenish. The very dry period continues and with more warm weather on the horizon, supplies will come under further pressure. 

“We are currently investigating operational solutions to improve the water supply and pressure to customers located in elevated areas of Hawkfield and Pollardstown in Newbridge, especially during periods of high demand. In the interim, any water saved elsewhere in the supply network from conservation efforts and leak repairs will greatly assist in improving the supply to customers.”

Kevin added, “While we all continue to enjoy the current warm-spell, it is important that we all consider our water usage and look at simple yet impactful ways to conserve water. It can sometimes be difficult to know where to start, but even small changes can make a significant difference. By turning off the hose and avoiding power washing we can all help ensure there is enough water for everyone as we go through the summer.”

For more simple ways to conserve water check out the Uisce Éireann website where our conservation calculator (www.water.ie/calculator) can help people work out how much water they are currently saving and how they can conserve even more. 

Uisce Éireann will continue to monitor the levels at all our supplies over the coming weeks and months and take any actions that may be necessary to maintain supplies, including communicating about localised issues as they arise.

Members of the public can report any leaks in the public water network by contacting Uisce Éireann 24/7 at 1800 278 278 or on water.ie.

Uisce Éireann are asking the public to help play their part in protecting essential water supplies for their local communities.

There are a number of easy steps people can take to reduce their water usage during the hot weather, including: 

Avoid power washing and keep the garden hose in the shed
Check for leaks on outdoor taps or troughs as these can lead to large losses of treated water
Remember that paddling pools and swimming pools can use huge volumes of water so try to minimise the amount of water used and consider reusing the water for the garden or cleaning the car.
Report any visible leaks on the public network to Uisce Éireann at www.water.ie 

ENDS

For media queries please contact keith.begg@water.ie 

WATER SAVING TIPS

At Home:

Take a shorter shower
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 
Minimise the amount of water used in paddling pools
If you need to wash your car, use a bucket and sponge instead of a hose
Report any external leaks to Uisce Éireann at 1800 278 278. No leak fixes itself and every leak gets progressively worse. The escaping water can weaken the ground or cause slippery footpaths and roads. The leaking water reduces the supply pressure for adjacent properties. What looks like a small leak at the surface can be using the equivalent to 20-30 households.
In the garden:

Save and reuse water collected from baths, showers, and hand basins in the garden
In the garden use a rose head watering can instead of a hose and aim for the roots
Consider installing a water butt to collect rainwater – this can then be used for watering the garden during dry weather
Do your watering in the evening, when it won’t evaporate
Pots and containers need lots of water to prevent drying out, so plant directly into the ground as much as possible
Another good tip is to add a layer of plant material, like bark, to your flower bed to prevent evaporation and reduce the need for watering
On the Farm

Fix troughs – Watch out for overflowing drinking troughs as they can waste significant amounts of water. Adjust the ball valves to lower the float or replace faulty parts. 
Dry cleaning: Save water when cleaning the yard by using dry-cleaning techniques. Use scrapers and brushes to remove solid waste from yards and pens before hosing. You can also use a small amount of water (e.g. one bucket) to pre-soak waste before cleaning.
Clean plate cooler water: If you own a dairy farm, you can divert clean plate cooler water to a tank and use it for parlour washing
Consider Rainwater Harvesting - rain from the roofs of farm buildings can be used for a variety of activities such as washing down yards. Consider the level of rainwater quality required for specific water uses on the farm (e.g., plant nurseries and field irrigation) and the surfaces and contamination risks before you consider installing appropriate rain water harvesting, treatment (filtration and UV) and storage systems.
Take action to protect water sources: Avoid contamination of surface waters by reducing or eliminating access to livestock by fencing off watercourses. Pollution containing animal faeces can affect the water environment, nutrients and soil. Destroyed bankside vegetation can also contribute to flooding. 
There are lots more water saving tips for farmers on our website at https://www.water.ie/ conservation/business/take- action/agriculture/ 
Uisce Éireann, as one of the leading water utilities in this space, has a first-of-its-kind dedicated water stewardship programme where we work with businesses to help them understand and reduce their water use. Find out more at water.ie/businessconserve with advice for a range of industries including hospitality, manufacturing, agriculture and small businesses. 

More information on water conservation can be found at https://www.water.ie/ conservation/