Irish Water says restrictions may be needed as country braces for heatwave

Ireland gets its second heatwave of the summer as temperatures are expected to hit the mid-20s over the coming week. Picture: Paul Mealey

Irish Water has warned that it is watching closely to see if water restrictions will be needed as Ireland prepares for another heatwave. 

Interventions are currently underway at 13 water supplies to ensure that they do not run dry, while 60 others across Ireland are on a watch list amid concern they will reach critical levels and may need to be restricted. 

The mercury is set to rise this week with Met Éireann issuing an advisory for people, warning them of the hot spells. 

The utility is anticipating that while hot weather causes water levels to drop, demand will also increase. Tom Cuddy, the head of operations at Irish Water, said they are hoping they will not have to take actions that will impact on their customers. 

We are focusing very much on interventions that will have little, or no impact on people, in some cases we're tankering water to reservoirs from supplies that do have sufficient water. 

"We are applying pressure inductions, particularly at night time. We are bringing online some backup sources that have been offline for a while, we're also cross-connecting adjacent schemes so we may be able to supply or change boundaries between different schemes," he said. 

Areas of Clonakilty will experience an overnight water restriction from 11pm tonight until 7am tomorrow morning.

Areas affected include the entire Clonakilty Urban Network and Foxhall Network. High ground and the extremities of the networks would be greatest affected including Youghal, Cloheen, Lady's Cross, The Bypass Road, Cottage Road, Fernhill Road, The Miles, Tawnies Lower, Barrack Hill, Scartagh, Froe, Caherbeg, Frehanes, and Reenascreena South.

Irish Water and Cork County Council are closely monitoring water levels in a number of areas in the county and taking remedial measures to maintain normal supplies.

Speaking on RTÉ radio, Mr Cuddy added: “With the hot spell coming we are encouraging people to use water responsibly.” 

The more the public helped, the better the situation would be, he said as demand tended to peak during hot weather. If people use excess water then they are going to make the situation challenging for themselves, their neighbours and community.

Demand was likely to be high in resort areas, where sometimes the population doubles during the holidays and also at festivals and due to agricultural demand. With private wells also drying up the situation could escalate in agricultural areas, Mr Cuddy warned.

The public could help by monitoring the running of taps, reducing the duration of showers, less flushing of toilets, using dishwashers and washing machines only when there are full loads and by reusing water from the kitchen in the garden.

The heatwave is due to hit Ireland this week, and members of the public have been urged to look out for vulnerable people. 

Met Éireann has issued a status yellow high-temperature warning for Munster and Leinster.

It will come into effect on Thursday at midday and will remain in place until 6am on Sunday morning.

A weather advisory for the whole country has been issued for hot temperatures over the coming days. 

The advisory will be in place until Monday, August 15. The hottest weather is expected to hit Ireland tomorrow and continue into the weekend. 

Met Éireann has said that they expect daytime temperatures will reach the mid- to high-20s and will remain uncomfortably warm overnight. 

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has also asked the public to "exercise caution" due to the potential impact of high temperatures. 

They are warning drivers to be alert to the dangers posed by 'sun glare', which can result in drivers being temporarily dazzled or blinded by the intensity and brightness of the sun. 

In other advice they have told drivers it is best to wear sun glasses, bring enough drinking water for your journey, and ensure your windscreen is clear of grime and dirt, and to have enough window washer fluid on hand to clear excess dust. 

The RSA is also asking motorists to watch out for vulnerable road users such a pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders, "slow down and allow extra space when passing," they advised. 

Dublin City Council has said that contingency plans are being put in place in the city to ensure temporary shelter will continue to be available to homeless people. 

Outreach teams will be handing out water and sunscreen and the public is being asked to report people sleeping rough during the hot weather. 

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