Drought recorded across three counties

ABSOLUTE drought was recorded in three counties this week, heightening the prospects of severe water shortages later in the summer.

Kilkenny, Wexford and Dublin all experienced what is scientifically classified as drought conditions after having less than 0.1 ml of rain for 15 days running.

Despite showers yesterday and forecasts of a wet weekend, water supplies, particularly in Dublin, are under pressure with increased demand from people watering their gardens.

Tom Leahy, senior engineer with the Dublin City Council’s water section, said the council will have to put sanctions in place if the dry spell continues throughout the month of August.

“Our average daily output is 520 million litres a day. During the recent hot weather that rose to 570 million litres a day. We can consistently provide the 520 million litres but the extra demand cannot be sustained,” Mr Leahy said.

“For the moment, we have the reserves for this not to cause a major concern, but if it continues like this for the next two or three weeks it would be a different story.”

Dublin’s absolute drought was recorded at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnell, but Met Éireann’s climate office said the rain forecasted for the days ahead may not be the end of the affair.

These stations can still be classed as experiencing “partial drought”, which is recorded over a longer period of time and is measured on average daily rainfall.

In Dublin, the city council handles the water for the four urban local authorities and serves a population of 1.3 million people.

Mr Leahy explained that it has tapped into treated water reserves to cope in the short term but he urged householders and businesses to conserve water during the hot weather, particularly when watering plants and tending to the garden.

Similar concerns have also been expressed by Cork and Kerry county councils, where certain local reservoirs are running low.

Usual water shortages in Killorglin and Dooks in Kerry have been exacerbated by the hot weather.

In Meath, the newly established Water Conservation Project has called on people to fix dripping taps, use environmentally friendly toilet cisterns and to take quick showers instead of baths.