Uisce Éireann has renewed its appeal to the public to ‘Think Water Conservation’ as warm weather returns. Pictured is well known TV personality Mairead Ronan, who is supporting the campaign.

Uisce Éireann reminds Mayo public to conserve water

Uisce Éireann has today renewed its appeal to the public to ‘Think Water Conservation’ as warm weather returns and demand increases. This call comes as over half of Irish households (54%) still admit to wasting water.

As part of its annual campaign, Uisce Éireann is calling on households across the country to assess water usage habits and take practical steps to save water daily.

With warm, dry weather experienced by much of the country this week and with many people now back in school and work after the holidays, Uisce Éireann has seen an increase in demand for water. However, there are no plans to introduce general water restrictions or hosepipe bans. The public has been asked to help play their part in protecting essential water supplies for their local communities, and to conserve water where possible.

Simple water saving tips include: checking your water consuming appliances, such as washing machines and dishwaters, for any plumbing issues (including looking out for dripping joints or leaking supply hoses); keeping a jug of water in the fridge rather than letting the tap run cold and save six litres a day; making sure the tap is off while brushing teeth, which can save 84 litres of water a week; reducing shower time by 60 seconds, which can save up to 120 litres of water every week; saving up to 250 litres of water a week by fixing any leaking or dripping taps in the garden.

Speaking of the importance of water conservation year-round, Anthony Skeffington, Uisce Éireann's north west regional operation's manager, said: “We are experiencing a warm, dry spell of weather this week and while it is great to see after a particularly wet summer, this brings its own unique set of challenges. Many of us will be enjoying these warm evenings in our gardens, but it is important to remain conscious of our water usage habits throughout the year, regardless of the weather.

“Some urban areas tend to see increases in demand around this time of year as schools return and people come back to work after holidays. Also, as we come into autumn and winter, storms and other extreme weather can impact on the capacity to treat and produce clean drinking water. For this reason, water conservation is something we should think about year-round, not just during the summer.

“By working together to use only what we need in our homes, gardens and businesses, we can all contribute to ensuring a sustainable water supply for everyone. We are encouraging communities all over Ireland to play their part and think water conservation throughout the year.

“Don’t forget to also check the ground above your pipes for signs of leaks. At Uisce Éireann, we are also continuing our First Fix Free programme, which helps households that may be using higher levels of water than average. That could signal a potential leakage problem.

“Our team will investigate the cause of the leak and fix the issue to curtail any further potential leaks. This is in line with the Uisce Éireann collaborative approach to water conservation.”

Mr. Skeffington also reminded the public that the Uisce Éireann conservation calculator is on hand to help households examine how much water they are currently using and identify changes they could make to reduce their use.

“The average water use of one person is 133 litres per day. The conservation calculator provides helpful advice for those wanting to ensure they use water responsibly to improve their score rating and is free for all households to use on our website. It offers practical advice on conserving water to ensure we have a sustainable water supply for everyone in years to come. We are encouraging everyone to play their part with us and think water conservation.”

For further information on water conservation, visit www.water.ie/conservation.