Low Water Pressure In Parts Of Kildare Due To High Demand

Irish Water has said reservoirs are struggling to refill due to the hot weather.

Due to a large demand on the water supply and a burst water main over the weekend some customers in the county are experiencing very low pressure or in some cases a total loss of supply.

Irish Water has said reservoirs are struggling to refill due to the hot weather and a very high usage of water.

Irish Water is asking the public to be especially mindful of their water use as we move into a predicted spell of warm weather.

With temperatures set to soar,It said it is important that we all take some simple steps to conserve water and to avoid the need for restrictions later in the summer.

Irish Water is urging the public to follow a number of easy steps to reduce their water usage during the hot weather, including:

• Avoid power washing and keep the garden hose in the shed.
• Check for leaks on outdoor taps or troughs as these can lead to large losses of treated water
• Remember that paddling pools and swimming pools can use huge volumes of water so try to minimise the amount of water used and consider reusing the water for the garden or cleaning the car.
• Report any visible leaks on the public network to Irish Water at water.ie

Members of the public can report any leaks in the public water network by contacting Irish Water 24/7 at 1800 278 278 or on water.ie .

More Water Saving Tips

At  Home:

• Take a shorter shower
• Fix dripping taps or leaking toilets in your home
• When brushing your teeth or shaving, turn off the tap and save up to 6 litres of water per minute
• Minimise the amount of water used in paddling pools
• If you need to wash your car, use a bucket and sponge instead of a hose
• Report any external leaks to Irish Water at 1800 278 278. No leak fixes itself and every leak gets progressively worse. The escaping water can weaken the ground or cause slippery footpaths and roads. The leaking water reduces the supply pressure for adjacent properties. What looks like a small leak at the surface can be using the equivalent to 20-30 households.

In the garden:

• Save and reuse water collected from baths, showers, and hand basins in the garden.
• In the garden use a rose head watering can instead of a hose and aim for the roots.
• Consider installing a water butt to collect rainwater – this can then be used for watering the garden during dry weather.
• Do your watering in the evening, when it won’t evaporate.
• Pots and containers need lots of water to prevent drying out, so plant directly into the ground as much as possible.
• Another good tip is to add a layer of plant material, like bark, to your flower bed to prevent evaporation and reduce the need for watering.

On the Farm

• Fix troughs – Watch out for overflowing drinking troughs as they can waste significant amounts of water. Adjust the ball valves to lower the float or replace faulty parts.
• Dry cleaning: Save water when cleaning the yard by using dry-cleaning techniques. Use scrapers and brushes to remove solid waste from yards and pens before hosing. You can also use a small amount of water (e.g. one bucket) to pre-soak waste before cleaning.
• Clean plate cooler water: If you own a dairy farm, you can divert clean plate cooler water to a tank and use it for parlour washing.
• Consider Rainwater Harvesting – rain from the roofs of farm buildings can be used for a variety of activities such as washing down yards. Consider the level of rain water quality required for specific water uses on the farm (e.g. plant nurseries and field irrigation) and the surfaces and contamination risks before you consider installing appropriate rain water harvesting, treatment (filtration and UV) and storage systems.
• Take action to protect water sources: Avoid contamination of surface waters by reducing or eliminating access to livestock by fencing off watercourses. Pollution containing animal faeces can affect the water environment, nutrients and soil. Destroyed bankside vegetation can also contribute to flooding.
• There are lots more water saving tips for farmers on the website.