Autumnal rainfall brings mild recovery of Owel water levels

Uisce Éireann can confirm that the Water Conservation Order, commonly referred to as a hosepipe ban, for the Mullingar Regional Water Supply will lapse on October 13.

In a statement, they thanked the people of Westmeath for their strong support and cooperation throughout the spring and summer. The community’s efforts to reduce water usage and report leaks have been instrumental in protecting the local supply during a period of unprecedented pressure. While restrictions may be lifted, Uisce Éireann urge everyone to remain vigilant and continue using water wisely all year round.

Fionnuala Callery, Regional Technical Operations manager at Uisce Éireann, said: “We’re extremely grateful to the people of Westmeath for their efforts to conserve water since the Order was introduced in early May.

“Now that the hosepipe ban is lifted, it’s important that we don’t lose momentum. While Lough Owel has seen some mild recharge with the heavy rainfall since autumn arrived, it will take time for the lake to fully recover. The recharge of this spring-fed lake will be dependent on consistent rainfall over autumn and winter.

“We’re doing everything we can via network initiatives to protect and maintain the water supply, but we also need the public’s continued support to protect the supply and the lake. Even small changes in how we use water can make a big difference. We are also appealing to customers across Co Westmeath to continue to report leaks to us at 1800 278 278 or through Report a Leak.”

Water-saving tips:

• Turn off the tap: Brushing your teeth with the tap running wastes up to six litres of water per minute. Turning it off while brushing can reduce that to just one litre.

• Switch to a shower: Showers use about half the amount of water as baths. Invest in water saving appliances such as water efficient taps and shower heads.

• Shorter showers: With the average shower using seven litres of water per minute by turning your five-minute shower into four minutes, you could save up to seven litres of water per day!

• Fully load your appliances: Always ensure your dishwasher and washing machine are fully loaded before use. A typical washing machine uses approximately 65 litres of water, and a dishwasher uses around 20 litres per cycle. By ensuring they are fully loaded, not only will you conserve water, but you will also reduce your energy bills.

• Leave the hose in the shed: Drop the hose and use a rose head watering can water your plants instead of a hose or sprinkler. Running a hose for just one hour uses as much water as a family would typically need in an entire day.

• Bucket and sponge for your car: Using a bucket and sponge to wash your car can save hundreds of litres of water compared to using a hose or power washer.

For more information on water conservation and to access our Water Conservation Calculator, visit https://www.water.ie/calculator.