Water Conservation Order lifted in Westmeath but Mullingar Regional Water Supply Scheme remains at risk due to continued falling water levels at Lough Owel
Water Conservation Order lifted in Westmeath but Mullingar Regional Water Supply Scheme remains at risk due to continued falling water levels at Lough Owel
Irish Water can confirm that as of today the remaining Water Conservation Orders affecting Co. Westmeath as well as other counties Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Cork, Waterford, Wexford, Kilkenny, Carlow, Laois, Wicklow, Meath, Offaly, Louth and Dublin have now been lifted.
The Irish Water Board met and reviewed the data that indicates that the reduction in demand, the availability of water resources and the prevailing weather conditions mean that the justification for the Water Conservation Order no longer applies.
However, the Utility is advising that while water supply recovery has been significant in most parts of the County, the Mullingar Regional Water Supply Scheme remains at risk due to continued falling water supply levels in Lough Owel.
Commenting on the decision to life the Water Conservation Order, Irish Water Engineer, John Gavin said, ‘Lough Owel is a spring-fed lake and therefore rainfall levels have minimal impact on Lough Owel in the short-term. Water levels at the lake are continuing to fall and are likely to do so until the end of October. If this is the case, it may still be necessary to introduce night time restrictions on the supply in the coming months. Irish Water continues to monitor the situation and continues to appeal to customers on the supply to be mindful of their water usage and continue to conserve water where possible.’
In the rest of the country in August, significant rain fell in the North and Western Regions, replenishing water sources in those areas to the extent that the specific usage prohibitions were lifted. However, at this time supplies in the Southern, Eastern and Midlands regions had not recovered and a new Water Conservation Order to cover the public water supplies in counties Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Cork, Waterford, Wexford, Kilkenny, Carlow, Laois, Offaly, Wicklow, Meath, Westmeath, Louth and Dublin, was issued. The order took effect on the 1st September 2018 and was due to conclude at midnight on the 30th of September 2018.
However, increased rainfall has meant that the Water Conservation Orders can be lifted now. Rainfall rates have returned or are returning to average rates for the time of year at all observational stations in the Southern, Eastern and most areas of the Midlands regions.
While this is very welcome news, it is essential that people continue to conserve water. We are really grateful for all the efforts people made over the past few months in their homes and businesses. It was really encouraging to see. Conserving water will make our water sources more resilient and help to safeguard our water for the future benefiting communities all across Westmeath.
For tips on water conservation visit www.water.ie/conservation