People on Inis Mór water supply asked to conserve water due to unseasonably dry weather conditions

Water restrictions in place from 11pm to 7am daily

Irish Water has asked people supplied by the Inis Mór water supply to conserve water usage for the foreseeable future due to the unseasonably dry weather conditions resulting in historically low water levels for this time of year. We are imposing water restrictions on the island from 11pm to 7am daily commencing Monday, May 15.

Should this dry spell continue, we will have to consider extending the restrictions to day time hours. The restrictions imposed on the Inis Oirr supply last Monday remain in place and the water conservation notice issued for consumers on Inis Meáin continues. 

Working in partnership with Galway County Council, Irish Water is asking people supplied by these public water schemes to conserve water as much as possible and to report any leaks they see on the public network by calling our customer care helpline which is open 24/7 on 1850 278 278. 

With demand on water supplies expected to increase significantly over the summer months, we are asking the public for their assistance by reporting all leaks to help conserve water and reduce loss of water in the network due to leakage.

Irish Water and Galway County Council would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused and would like to thank the public in advance for their co-operation. Updates will be issued on the water storage levels at the reservoirs and consumers will be advised when they can return to normal usage.

Irish Water’s Top Tips for Conserving Water

• 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 a staggering 6 litres per minute. Brushing your teeth with the tap off will use a more modest 1 litre of water.
• Shower vs. Bath: The average bath uses 80 litres of water compared to an average shower using 49 litres in seven minutes. Switch your bath to a shower for a massive water saving.
• Less time: With the average shower using 7 litres of water per minute by turning your five minute shower into four minutes, you could save up to 7 litres of water per day!
• 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.
• Don’t forget to collect: Rainwater is excellent for your garden. Collect it in a water butt from your gutters but always make sure to securely cover the large container for safety.

For more information, visit our Be Water Smart section.