Uisce Éireann appeals for Kilkenny customers to continue water conservation

Uisce Éireann is appealing to customers in Kilkenny to continue using water responsibly as warm and dry conditions persist.

A Water Conservation Order remains in place for the entire country to help protect public drinking water supplies following a prolonged period of exceptionally warm and dry weather, combined with high demand for water across the country.

Uisce Éireann thanked the public for their efforts to conserve water which have helped to reduce demand in many areas although the ongoing dry weather has left several water sources still under pressure.

The appeal comes as Met Éireann has issued a Status Yellow High Temperature Warning for parts of the country, with higher temperatures expected to increase demand for water in the days ahead.

In Kilkenny, water supplies serving Bennettsbridge and surrounding areas continue to be closely monitored, with groundwater sources remaining under pressure.

Uisce Éireann said its top priority is to safeguard water supplies for homes, businesses, farms, hospitals, vulnerable customers and essential services. Customers are being asked to continue avoiding non-essential water use and to play their part in protecting supplies for homes, businesses and essential services.

Shane Aylward from Uisce Éireann said: “We would like to thank customers across the two counties for the support they have shown since the Water Conservation Order was introduced.”

“We have seen demand reduce in many areas and those efforts are helping to protect water supplies. However, many of our water sources remain under pressure, particularly in Bennetsbridge, Co. Kilkenny and the Central Regional Water Supply in Carlow, following an extended period of warm, dry weather.”

“It will take time for these sources to recover. With warm conditions expected to continue and temperatures set to rise again in parts of the country, we are asking everyone to continue doing what they can to conserve water,” he added.

The Water Conservation Order is in place until August 26 and is reviewed on an ongoing basis taking into account weather conditions, soil moisture deficits and the status of water supplies.

Uisce Éireann also continues to take measures to protect supplies, including maximising water production, repairing leaks, managing network pressures and encouraging water conservation nationwide.