Fears of drought affecting Mullingar and Castlepollard supply schemes

Two water schemes in Westmeath are in danger of going into drought, despite the recent rainfall, according to Irish Water.

The two are at Mullingar and at Castlepollard, and Irish Water has admitted to “concern” for the late summer and Autumn.

Firing that concern is the fact that the water levels at Lough Owel are currently lower than during the drought of 218.

“Water levels in Lough Owel are falling and whilst are not at critically low levels experienced previously levels remain a cause for concern for late summer and the autumn,” John Gavin of Irish Water told The Westmeath Examiner.

Lough Owel supplies water to Portloman Water Treatment plant which serves approximately 50,000 customers in Mullingar and surrounds. Water levels at the lake are monitored by Irish Water in partnership with Westmeath County Council and Inland Waterways Ireland.

But the recent rains are not enough to impact significantly, according to Mr Gavin.

“Unfortunately short periods of rainfall, such as those we have experienced last week, are not sufficient to return raw water sources to normal level,” he sad.

“A minimum accumulation of 100mm rainfall and a return to normal precipitation levels thereafter would be needed to offset the impact of the unseasonal lack of rainfall since March.”

The situation is being kept “under continuous review”, Mr Gavin said adding that Irish Water is liaising closely with other key agencies such as Met Éireann, the OPW, the EPA and Waterways Ireland amongst others.

Nationally, there is a water conservation order in place which applies to all domestic settings.

“If the situation improves we will consider lifting the Water Conservation Order. However any change is unlikely in the short term,” he continued, before issuing an appeal to the public to continue to conserve water.

To save water, Irish Water is encouraging the use of recycled water in gardens.

This can be either gathered outside in a water butt of other container or from basins in the sink or buckets in the shower.

Using a hosepipe for one hour is the equivalent of the daily water usage of an average family.

“Irish Water’s top priority during the current dry period is to protect our water supply for use in homes and businesses and for essential sanitation during the Covid-19 crisis,” said Mr Gavin.

There is further information on water conservation available on Irish Water’s website