Spring clean your water use habits
As we enjoy a spell of warm spring weather, Uisce Éireann is sharing some simple steps we can all take to help conserve water and safeguard our precious water supplies now and into the summer.
Demand for treated water continues to rise each year as we support the delivery of new homes and business. This demand increases further when there are prolonged periods of warm, dry weather.
As we come into summer, Uisce Éireann is urging customers to be mindful of their use of water so that supplies can be protected, especially in areas where water resources are under pressure.
Jim Fitzgerald, regional operations manager with Uisce Éireann, said: “We are seeing high and increasing demand in a number of supplies around the country, including those serving the Greater Dublin Area, as well as some areas of Donegal, Limerick, Westmeath and Kilkenny.
"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 around the country 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.”
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 water.ie/calculator
This is also a good time for people to spot any underground leaks outside their home or business. Signs of such leaks may include persistent moisture in areas of the lawn or driveway, even during dry weather. Uisce Éireann’s first fix free scheme provides for a free leak repair on private property where such a leak is identified. We would especially appreciate those who have been contacted for a free leak investigation engage with us to resolve potential leaks.
There is information on the scheme, along with lots of easy-to-follow water-saving tips on water.ie. To report leaks in the public network, or for more information, the Uisce Éireann helpdesk is available 24/7 at 1800 278 278.