Nighttime restrictions extended for areas of Inis Mór with supplies under increased pressure
Information below is relevant until further updates are provided here or on our Supply and Service Updates section
As the treated water supply on Inis Mór comes under increased pressure, Uisce Éireann is extending nighttime restrictions on parts of the island.
From this evening, the restrictions in Creig a'Chéirin to the west of the island, and in Cill Éinne to the east, will come into effect at 5pm and remain in place until 7am each night.
Elsewhere on the island, the restrictions will remain as they were, coming into effect nightly from 10pm until 7am.
These extended nighttime restrictions are essential to protect the island’s daytime supply. Increased demand on the network due to the high number of visitors to the island, coupled with the recent spell of warm, dry weather, has led to reserves of treated water falling to critically low levels in recent days.
Nighttime restrictions also remain in effect on Inis Oírr between 11pm and 6am nightly.
Tony Kelly of Uisce Éireann has renewed the appeal to customers on the Aran Islands to limit their water usage to essential purposes only over the coming days.
“Our supplies of treated water on Inis Mór are at very low levels, and we are appealing to residents, businesses and visitors to the island to be mindful of how they use water over the coming days,” said Tony.
“The nighttime restrictions we have brought into effect are an essential measure to safeguard supplies and protect a continuous daytime supply of treated water for the island.”
Elsewhere in Co Galway, nighttime restrictions also remain in effect on supplies in Kinvara, Cloch na Rón, Carna / Cill Chíaráin, Leitir Móir and Tir an Fhia until further notice. The nationwide Water Conservation Order will also come into effect for all counties, including Galway, from 00.01am on Friday morning.
Below are some simple water-saving tips everyone can follow, to help protect supplies:
- Leak free: Check that your home is leak free. Check for running overflows and fix any dripping taps, cisterns or pipes.
- Don’t let the tap run: Brushing your teeth with the tap running can use up to six litres per minute. Brushing your teeth with the tap off will use a more modest one litre of water.
- Shower vs. Bath: The average bath uses 80 litres of water, while a seven-minute shower uses just 49 litres. Switching to showers can save a significant amount of water.
- Drop the hose: Drop the hose during the summer months. Use a rose head watering can to water your plants, instead of a hose or sprinkler.
- Install a water butt: Use it to collect rainwater from your gutters for gardening or washing the yard.
- Drinking troughs: On the farm, 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.
- Fully loaded: Always ensure your dishwasher and washing machines are fully loaded. A modern washing machine uses approximately 65 litres of water per cycle while a dishwasher uses 20 litres. By ensuring they are fully loaded, not only will you conserve water, but you will also reduce your energy bills.
- Don’t flush it all away: A third of all water used in the home is flushed down the toilet. Some larger cisterns can continue to work effectively with a smaller flush. Place a displacement device into the cistern (out of the way of moving parts) to save water.
To access the water conservation calculator or find out more about water conservation tips, visit the Conservation section of our website.
Previous Updates
Uisce Éireann is advising residents, businesses and visitors to Inis Mór that nighttime restrictions will come into effect on the island’s public water supply from tonight (Tuesday).
Sustained high demand, coupled with the recent warm and dry conditions, has placed the island’s supply of treated water under severe strain. These nighttime restrictions are necessary to relieve pressure on the treatment plant and safeguard a continuous daytime supply of treated water for homes, businesses, and essential services on the island.
The nighttime restrictions will come into effect tonight, from 10pm until 7am. The restrictions will remain in effect until further notice. Meanwhile, nighttime restrictions also remain on the neighbouring island of Inis Oírr between 11pm and 6am nightly. Treated water is also being tankered to Inis Oírr to help support daytime supply.
Tony Kelly of Uisce Éireann said that these restrictions on both islands are essential to project a daytime supply for the Aran Islands.
“We are mindful of the impact that these nighttime restrictions can have, but they are essential to safeguard continuous daytime supply on both Inis Mór and Inis Oírr,” said Tony.
“We are asking everyone to continue playing their part by using water wisely and reducing non-essential use wherever possible. Every small action can collectively make a real difference during this period of exceptionally high demand.
“We are also encouraging people with responsibility for properties that are currently unoccupied to check for leaks and turn off water where it is not required,” Tony continued.
Customers are encouraged to be alert to signs of leaks on their property, such as persistent damp patches on lawns or driveways. Uisce Éireann’s First Fix Free scheme provides a free repair for qualifying underground leaks on private property once identified. To report leaks on the public water network, customers can contact Uisce Éireann’s 24/7 helpdesk at 1800 278 278 or visit our Report a Leak page.
Below are some simple water-saving tips everyone can follow, to help protect supplies:
- Leak free: Check that your home is leak free. Check for running overflows and fix any dripping taps, cisterns or pipes.
- Don’t let the tap run: Brushing your teeth with the tap running can use up to six litres per minute. Brushing your teeth with the tap off will use a more modest one litre of water.
- Shower vs. Bath: The average bath uses 80 litres of water, while a seven-minute shower uses just 49 litres. Switching to showers can save a significant amount of water.
- Drop the hose: Drop the hose during the summer months. Use a rose head watering can to water your plants, instead of a hose or sprinkler.
- Install a water butt: Use it to collect rainwater from your gutters for gardening or washing the yard.
- Drinking troughs: On the farm, 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.
- Fully loaded: Always ensure your dishwasher and washing machines are fully loaded. A modern washing machine uses approximately 65 litres of water per cycle while a dishwasher uses 20 litres. By ensuring they are fully loaded, not only will you conserve water, but you will also reduce your energy bills.
- Don’t flush it all away: A third of all water used in the home is flushed down the toilet. Some larger cisterns can continue to work effectively with a smaller flush. Place a displacement device into the cistern (out of the way of moving parts) to save water.
To access the water conservation calculator or find out more about water conservation tips, visit the Conservation section of our website.
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