Residents of Aran Islands asked to continue conserving water as supplies reach critical levels

Further restrictions likely as dry spell continues

Irish Water continues its request to residents, businesses and visitors to the Aran Islands to conserve water, adding that day time restrictions are now highly likely as the dry spell continues.

Night time water restrictions are already in place on Inis Mór and Inis Oirr while the water conservation notice, which was issued to Inis Meáin, will remain in place for the foreseeable future due to the unseasonably dry weather conditions which have resulted in historically low water levels for this time of year.

Irish Water’s Operations Water lead for Galway City and County, Ger Greally, commented “Water supply levels on Inis Mór and Inis Oirr are reaching critical levels and unless there is a spell of persistent and heavy rain it is highly likely we will have to introduce day time restrictions also. People are asked to be conscious of their water consumption. Small changes by individuals can have a positive impact on water reserves. Checking your home for leaks, turning off the tap while brushing teeth, showering rather than bathing and ensuring washing machines and dishwashers are fully loaded before use are just some of the measures which will help reduce demand on water supplies.”

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, Irish Water is 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.

Dor more information on water conservation, please visit our Be Water Smart section.

Géarchéim soláthar fógartha ag Uisce Éireann ar Oileáin Árann agus iad ag meabhrú don phobal uisce a spáráil

Meabhraíonn Uisce Éireann dóibh siúd atá ina gcónaí ar na hoileáin go bhfuil siad ag iarraidh orthu uisce a chaomhnú go ceann i bhfad mar gheall ar thriomach neamh gnách don t-am seo bliana agus gur dóigh go mbeidh orthu srianach i rith an lae a chuir i bhfeidhm agus géarchéim sa soláthar fógartha.

Tá srianta i bhfeidhm san oíche cheana féin in Inis Mór agus Inis Oírr agus táthar ag iarraidh ar phobal Inis Meáin an tuisce a chaomhnú. Dár le Ger Greally ó Uisce Éireann “Tá géarchéim sroichte againn ó thaobh soláthair de agus mura dtagann tréimhse fada báistí, ní bheidh aon rogha againn ach srianta i rith an lae a chuir i bhfeidhm faraor. Más féidir leis an bpobal athraithe beaga a dhéanamh ar an slí ina mbaintear úsáid as a gcuid uisce, chuideodh sé sin go mór le cúrsaí soláthair."

Beidh breis éileamh ar an soláthar uisce sna míosa amach romhainn le líon ard turasóirí ag tabhairt cuairt ar na hoileáin, mar sin tá Uisce Éireann ag iarraidh go ndéanfadh an pobabl gach sceitheadh uisce a fheiceann siad ar an líonra poiblí a thuairisciú ionas gur féidir an méid uisce agus is féidir a chaomhnú gach bealach gur féidir.

Ba mhaith le Uisce Éireann agus Comhairle Contae na Gaillimhe leithscéal a ghbháil le muintir na hOileáin as an mhíchaoithiúlacht a thiteann amach mar gheall ar an bhfógra seo agus buíochas a ghlacadh leis an bpobal roimh-ré as ucht a gcomhoibriú.

Comhairle Uisce Éireann chun uisce a chaomhnú

• Sceitheadh uisce: Déan scrúdú sa mbaile go bhfeicfidh tú an bhfuil uisce ag sceitheadh in aon áit. An bhfuil aon sconna ag sileadh, seiceáil an bhfuil na píopaí i gceart agus an leithreas agus an t-umar uisce ag feidhmiú mar is ceart.
• Cas as an sconna: Má fhágann tú an sconna ag rith agus tú ag scuabadh do chuid fiacla, tá tú in ann 6 lítear sa nóiméad a chuir amú. Scuab do chuid fiacla agus an sconna casta as agus ní chaitheann tú ach lítear amháin uisce.
• Cith v Folca: Caitear 80 lítear ar an mean ar an gnáth-fholca seachas an 49 lítear a chaithear ar an mean sa chith i seacht nóiméad.
• Níos lú ama: Agus an gnáth chith ag úsáid 7 lítear uisce sa nóiméad, má chaitheann tú cheithre nóiméad sa chith seachas cúig, d’fhéadfá suas le 7 lítear uisce sa ló a shábháil.
• Lán go doras: Déan cinnte go bhfuil an meaisín níocháin agus an miasniteoir lán go doras gach uair a chuireann tú ar siúl iad. Úsáideann meaisín comhaimseartha suas le 65 lítear uisce gach babhta agus an miasniteoir 20 lítear. Agus tú ag cinntiú go bhfuil siad lán go doras, tá tú ag caomhnú uisce agus ag íslú do chuid billí fuinnimh freisin.
• Ná sruthlaigh i gcónaí: Sruthlaítear aon trian den uisce a úsáidtear sa mbaile síos an leithreas. Is féidir le roinnt sistéil móra leanacht orthu ag obair le sruthlú níos lú. Cuir fearas díláithriú isteach sa sistéal chun uisce a chaomhnú.
• Bí ag bailliú:. Tá uisce báistí an-mhaith don ghairdín. Bailigh é i mButa Uisce óna gáitéir ach déan cinnte go bhfuil an umar clúdaithe go sábháilte agat.