BREAKING: Uisce Éireann issues urgent appeal to customers right across Tipperary

Uisce Éireann is appealing to customers across Tipperary to be mindful of their use of water. Every drop counts, especially as we move into what is expected to be a warmer, drier period.

There has been a notable increase in demand for water across Tipperary since the summer arrived. With warmer, drier weather forecast, we are appealing to everyone to conserve water to safeguard the water supply.

While recent weeks have brought cooler and wetter weather, water supplies in Glenary, Poulavanogue, Ardfinnan, Galtee, Coalbrook, Commons, Dualla and Fethard remain under significant pressure. These Water Supply Schemes serve over 45,000 customers across a large area of South Tipperary including Clonmel, Ardfinnan, Goatenbridge, Caher, New Chapel, Grange, Rossaddrehid, Bansha, Aherlow, Lattin, Emly, Limerick Junction, Coalbrook, Commons, Dualla, Ballinard, Mullinahone, Drangan, Moyglass, Killenaule, Ballinure, Gortnahoe.

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Pierce Faherty, Uisce Éireann Water Operations Manager in Tipperary, said, “We are appealing to the communities served by these supplies to make every effort to conserve water to maintain the supply. Although we have seen some welcome rainfall, the long-term effects of a dry autumn, winter, and spring are still being felt. This supply is under considerable pressure, with a notable increase in demand since the beginning of June.

“We’re doing everything we can to protect and maintain supplies throughout the summer, but we’re also asking the public for their help by doing what they can to reduce their use. If everyone takes a few simple steps to reduce the volume of water used around the home, in the garden, at work, or on the farm, we can make our water go further and help maintain normal supplies.

“In response to these water supplies coming under pressure, we have increased our efforts with a series of measures to safeguard supply, including doubling down on leakage detection, pipe repair, and overall network management.”

It would take several weeks of sustained rainfall to allow affected water sources to recover to normal levels. The latest forecast indicates a continuation of warmer, drier weather, which could further increase demand and place additional strain on already stressed supplies.

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Everyone in Tipperary can play their part in protecting the water supplies for their community by taking simple steps to reduce their water use.

These include:

Leave the hose in the shed: Drop the hose during the summer months. Use a rose head watering can to 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.

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.

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