Uisce Éireann urges South Leitrim to conserve water
Uisce Éireann is urging households and businesses across South Leitrim, including Carrick-on-Shannon, Ballinamore and Drumshanbo, to conserve water as soaring demand during the warm weather puts pressure on treated water supplies and raises the risk of reduced pressure and outages.
Uisce Éireann is asking customers across South Leitrim to conserve water as increased demand during the current spell of warm weather means treated water is being used faster than it can be produced.
The appeal applies to customers supplied by the South Leitrim Regional Water Supply Scheme, including Carrick-on-Shannon, Ballinamore, Keshcarrigan, Drumshanbo, Mohill, Carrigallen, Dromod, Roosky and surrounding areas.
According to Uisce Éireann, while raw water sources remain stable, the level of demand is placing pressure on the treatment process. Customers are being encouraged to reduce water use where possible to allow treated water reservoirs time to recover and help maintain a consistent supply for homes and businesses.
The utility said sustained periods of high demand can lead to reduced water pressure and, in some cases, interruptions to supply.
Kevin Love of Uisce Éireann said water use typically increases during warm weather because of higher demand associated with home maintenance, gardening, leisure activities, agriculture and tourism.
"There has been a noticeable increase in water use across Carrick-on-Shannon, Ballinamore, Keshkerrigan, Drumshanbo, Mohill, Carrigallen, Dromod, Roosky, and surrounding areas over the past week in this spell of good weather. While our raw water sources are stable, demand is currently higher than the system can treat and supply.
"Our teams have been out repairing leaks in Effrinagh, Lisdrumfarna, Drumcree, Ballinaboy, Drumkeilvy, Annaghmacullen and Oghill areas in recent days, and these bursts have also impacted on supply.
"We are asking customers to reduce their usage to give treated water reservoirs time to replenish. Even small changes, when taken across communities, can have a significant impact in maintaining supply for everyone.
Uisce Éireann has also advised customers to reduce water use by taking shorter showers, avoiding the use of hoses where possible, running washing machines and dishwashers only with full loads and repairing dripping taps.