Getting to the source of the problem

Donal Hickey on our future use of water

WE may never go back to the barrel at the corner of the house, or a large concrete tank at the gable, to catch the rain water that falls from the roofs of our houses. But water conservation and the efficient use of all water sources will become key issues as the effects of climate change become clearer.

Experts agree we’re going to have wetter winters in the north and west of the country, with drier summers and even periods of drought in the south and east. Therefore, the most densely populated areas will also become the driest and thirstiest.