Seriously low water levels lead to restrictions

COUNCIL officials in several western counties have warned water supplies are at seriously low levels after weeks of dry weather.

The June heatwave has left many authorities struggling with shortages, with some forced to impose restrictions. Forecasters warned there would be little respite in coming days.

“There will be some showers in the west over the weekend but not very heavy, and temperatures will be in the high teens,” Deirdre Lowe of Met Éireann said. “We will have to wait until later next week, which looks like it will be very unsettled.”

Donegal, Sligo and Fingal in north Co Dublin have all reported severely depleted supplies, with residents throughout the capital asked to reduce water consumption by 10%.

In Galway, water tankers have been deployed on Inis Mór on the Aran Islands.

Other badly-hit counties include Kerry, Offaly, Leitrim and Roscommon.

David Timlin, Clare County Council’s director of services, said rain during the first half of 2010 had been unusually low.

“As this trend continues, levels of lakes and ground water are now getting very low, impacting directly on water supply sources.”

Homeowners and businesses in the worst-affected areas have been urged to minimise their water usage, avoid switching on hosepipes and check for faulty plumbing.

A spokesman for Sligo County Council said people should take all possible measures to conserve water.

“It should be noted that intermittent rainfall of relatively short duration will not significantly improve the situation during this prolonged dry period,” he added. “Under the Water Services Act 2007 local authorities are authorised to prohibit the use of water for certain purposes and failure to comply can result in arrest, prosecution and fines.”