Drought status on Aran's smallest island as country's water supplies face pressure after dry winter and spring

There is an official drought status in Inisheer as a result of low rainfall levels over the winter months.

Signs are emerging of water shortages, with Uisce Éireann appealing to the public in Inisheer (the smallest and most easterly of the Aran Islands) and in parts of West Tipperary to conserve water.

There is an official drought status in Inisheer as a result of low rainfall levels over the winter months. And the Galtee Regional Water Supply in Co Tipperary remains under significant pressure, due to increased demand combined with the long-term effects of a dry autumn, winter, and spring.

Last week, Met Eireann reported soil moisture deficits for moderately drained soils ranging from 8mm in the north to 44mm in the south. This was good news for farmers, with the SMD needing to go over 50mm before grass growth will become restricted, and over 75mm before more severe drought causes perennial ryegrass to go dormant (growth ceasing and grass losing colour).

Nevertheless, farmers might be affected in west Tipperary, due to the Galtee Supply, sourced from the river Muskry, coming under pressure. 

This serves more than 10,000 customers across a large area including the villages of Bansha, Aherlow, Rossaddrehid, Lattin and Emly, as well as communities across Lisvernane, Longford pass, Cordangan, Aherlow, Ross Bog, Ardlomen, Mount Bruis, Kilross, Shronell, Glenbane, Cullen, Rosegreen, Mocklers hill, Ballyduague, Knockgraffon, Annegift, Kilbragh, Coolmoyne, Tullamaine, Miltownmore, Barretstown, Barretsgrange, Derrylusk, Ardsallagh, Rathbrit and Ballydoyle.

Pierce Faherty, Uisce Éireann Water Operations Manager in Tipperary, said: “We’re doing everything we can to protect and maintain supplies throughout the summer, but we’re also asking the public for their help by doing what they can to reduce their use. 

If everyone takes a few simple steps to reduce the volume of water used around the home, in the garden, at work, or on the farm, we can make our water go further and help maintain normal supplies.

Uisce Éireann continued to closely monitor and manage all water supplies across the county, with a focus also on Coalbrook, Commons, Dualla, and Clonmel.

It would take several weeks of sustained rainfall to allow affected water sources to recover to normal levels. The forecast last week indicated a continuation of warmer, drier weather, which could further increase demand and place additional strain on already stressed supplies.

Meanwhile, night-time restrictions on the island’s water supply remained in effect on Inisheer, having been introduced in mid-April, in order to conserve water and safeguard the island’s daytime supply. Restrictions are in effect from 11pm to 7am.

In mid-May, Uisce Éireann appealed to everyone in Co Carlow to be mindful of their use of water, as the warm dry spell looked set to continue.

At the time, more than 23 supplies nationwide were officially in drought status, including the Raheeleigh water supply, near Myshall in Co Carlow. A number of other supplies in the county were at high risk of moving to drought status, leading Uisce Éireann to take measures to maintain normal supplies, such as tankering to reservoirs, night-time restrictions, and pressure management.

Levels in many water sources were significantly lower than normal for the time of year following a drier-than-average autumn, winter, and spring. On top of this, fine weather led to an increase in demand.

There was similar Uisce Éireann advice in mid-May to customers in the Castlecomer area of Co Kilkenny, and in the Macroom, Clonakilty, Skibbereen, Glengarriff, Freemount, Whitechurch, Goleen, Crookhaven, Bantry, and Mallow areas of Co Cork.

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Due to prolonged dry weather and increased demand, there was also significant pressure on water supplies in May in Co Donegal, requiring a hosepipe ban for the Milford Regional Public Water Supply. But supplies also came under pressure at Letterkenny, Buncrana, Ballybofey, Stranorlar, Carrigart, Downings and surrounding areas.

Earlier in May, Uisce Éireann customers in areas of Co Limerick including Oola, Pallasgreen and Doon were asked to help conserve water and protect supplies, due to dry weather resulting in critically low reservoir levels.

In April, customers using the Kells-Oldcastle Water Supply in Co Meath were urged to conserve water, because low water levels in Lough Bane and the River Blackwater reduced supply. There was similar advice to customers in Mullingar and the surrounding area as well as at Ahascragh in east Co Galway.

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