Uisce Éireann offers Kildare householders water conservation tips

As we come into summer, Uisce Éireann is urging Kildare customers to be mindful of their use of water so that supplies can be protected, especially in areas where water resources are under pressure.

Eoghan Forristal, Uisce Éireann's Water Operations Manager for Kildare, said: “We are seeing high and increasing demand in a number of supplies around the country, including those in County Kildare and the Greater Dublin Area.

“In response, we have been ramping up our leakage detection, pipe repair, and other network management activities to help offset this demand. We will continue to monitor the situation and take measures to manage supplies as we go into the summer months. However we welcome any support the public can provide by doing what they can to reduce their use.

"When temperatures rise, so does our water consumption. As we enjoy this very welcome spell of warm weather, we are asking everyone to play their part in conserving water and reporting leaks to help alleviate the pressure on our water supplies," added Eoghan.

According to Uisce Éireann, simple actions such as taking a shorter shower, placing a basin in the sink and fixing leaking taps can all make a significant impact.

Uisce Éireann has developed an easy-to-use conservation calculator to help people find out how much water they’re saving and what they can do to save even more. Check it out at www.water.ie/calculator

Key Tips to help you conserve water

• Leak free: Check that your home is leak free. Check for running overflows and fix any dripping taps, cisterns or pipes

• Don’t let the tap run: Brushing your teeth with the tap running can use up to a staggering 6 litres per minute. Brushing your teeth with the tap off will use a more modest 1 litre of water

• Shower vs. Bath: The average bath uses 80 litres of water compared to an average shower using 49 litres in seven minutes. Switch your bath to a shower for a massive water saving

• Less time: With the average shower using 7 litres of water per minute by turning your five minute shower into four minutes, you could save up to 7 litres of water per day!

• Fully loaded: Always ensure your dishwasher and washing machines are fully loaded. A modern washing machine uses approximately 65 litres of water per cycle while a dishwasher uses 20 litres. By ensuring they are fully loaded, not only will you conserve water but you will also reduce your energy bills

• Don’t flush it all away: A third of all water used in the home is flushed down the toilet. Some larger cisterns can continue to work effectively with a smaller flush. Place a displacement device into the cistern (out of the way of moving parts) to save water

Water Conservation Tips for Business

• Conduct a water audit to see where savings can be made. 

• Appoint water stewards who will champion water conservation. 

• Invest in water efficient devices and appliances such as dual flush toilets, mixer taps and low flow showers.

• Raise awareness amongst customers and employees with water conservation notices & signage.

To report leaks in the public network, or for more information, the Uisce Éireann helpdesk is available 24/7 at 1800 278 278.

READ NEXT: PHOTOS: First Kildare beer garden with closing roof planned