Nationwide hosepipe ban comes into effect

Nationwide hosepipe ban comes into effect

By Mary Dennehy

IRISH Water has introduced a National Water Conservation Order or hosepipe ban, which will run from today, June 9, until July 21.

According to Irish Water, the hosepipe ban has been issued to 'safeguard water supplies for essential purposes'.

Bohernabreena 5Jun20.1 compressor

Bohernabreena reservoir

The conservation order prohibits the use of garden hosepipes and other ‘non-essential’ uses of water – such as using power washers and paddling pools or washing your car with a hose.

Met Eireann has confirmed that May 2020 was the driest since 1850.

Niall Gleeson, Managing Director of Irish Water, said: “Irish Water’s top priority during the current dry period is to protect our water supply for use in homes and businesses and for essential sanitation during the Covid-19 crisis.

“As demand continues to outstrip supply and the dry weather looks set to continue, Irish Water has taken the extra step of implementing a Water Conservation Order.

“It is very clear from Irish Water’s data that that warm weather creates a surge in demand of water.

“Such weather brings people into their gardens and makes the use of hoses more likely.

“Similarly with children confined to home, it can be tempting to use paddling pools etc.

“However, using a hosepipe for one hour is the equivalent of the daily water usage of an average family and this is evidently a non-essential use of water.”

Dropping water levels in Bohernabreena Co Dublin 5Jun20 compressor

Dropping water levels at Bohernabreena (Image: Irish Water)

He added: “Irish Water will continue to analyse water consumption levels nationally while the National Water Conservation Order is in place.

“It is essential that our water supply is protected if we are to avoid restrictions and outages over the coming weeks and months.

“During this time we are supporting and advising our commercial large water users on their conservation efforts and we are grateful for all of the measures they have taken so far.

“We are also working with our Local Authority partners and others to ramp up leak detection and repair, particularly in water stressed areas.

“There are lots of helpful tips for conserving water on water.ie but the key messages are to leave the hose and the pressure washer in the shed; don’t use paddling pools; reuse household water for the garden; and take shorter showers.

“Safeguarding the supply of water is essential at this time when handwashing and hygiene is of critical importance.

“We are calling on everyone to play their part.”

More information at water.ie or follow Irish Water on Twitter.

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