Latest news with #Attridge
RTÉ News
21-05-2025
- Climate
- RTÉ News
No decision made on new hosepipe bans
Uisce Éireann has said no decision has been made on the possibility of introducing new hosepipe bans in counties affected by water supply pressures. Over 20 supplies across the country are officially in drought status due to the recent spell of warm and dry weather. The utility said 14 counties are impacted, primarily in the midlands and the northwest of the country. The head of water operations at Uisce Éireann said there have been some interventions in affected areas, including the tankering of water to treated water storage reservoirs and nighttime restrictions. Speaking on RTÉ's News at One, Margaret Attridge said it was "a very, very dry winter" and some ground water fed lakes are at "historically low levels". However, she said no decision has been made on introducing new restrictions such as a hose pipe ban or other water conservation measures in areas not already subject to such orders. She said Uisce Éireann is "continuing to monitor all our schemes, but it's very much going to be whether dependent". Ms Attridge said putting in place water conservation orders is "not something that we do lightly". A water conservation order, commonly referred to as a hosepipe ban, prohibits the use of garden hosepipes and other non-essential uses of water by domestic users and commercial premises for non-commercial activities, for example, watering gardens attached to a business premises. Uisce Éireann has said using a hosepipe for one hour is the equivalent of the daily water usage of an average family. In the areas deemed vulnerable, Ms Attridge said people are being asked to "conserve water and do what they can to protect supplies".
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Hosepipe ban in parts of Donegal, Meath and Westmeath
A hose pipe ban has been introduced in Milford in County Donegal, Mullingar in County Westmeath, and Kells-Oldcastle in County Meath amid concerns over very low water levels. The restrictions will apply from Tuesday and will last for six weeks. Uisce Éireann (Irish Water) has said dry conditions stretching back to last autumn, through winter, and into spring have led to a sharp drop in water supply at key reservoirs. Milford in County Donegal is supplied by Lough Colmcille. Both it and Lough Bane, which serves the Kells-Oldcastle area, are at historically low levels. Lough Owel, which supplies Mullingar, is now at its lowest level for 50 years. The water conservation order bans the use of hose pipes for domestic and certain non-domestic uses, such as watering gardens outside businesses. The organisation says this is aimed at preserving water for essential services. "The past 12 months have been drier than normal when compared to the long-term average" according to Margaret Attridge, head of water operations. "This means that some water sources which traditionally would have replenished over the winter period have not seen the same level of recovery." "As a result, we are starting to experience issues with water availability at these sources," Ms Attridge said Despite the targeted nature of the restrictions the utility has urged all households and businesses across Ireland to use water wisely as the country enters the summer months. Earlier in 2025 Irish weather service, Met Éireann, reported that rainfall was below average at most weather stations in the Republic during winter. The organisation also reported that autumn in 2024 was the 17th driest since records began in 1940. In Northern Ireland, NI Water has said reservoirs are at a healthy position for the time of year despite experiencing a winter and spring with less than average rainfall. "Rain in mid-April helped bring reservoir levels back up to 93% capacity" according to Water Supply Manager, Maynard Cousley. "However, it is a timely reminder that our weather patterns are changing and we cannot take our water supply for granted. "We must use our water supply wisely so we can conserve it for when we need it most." The EU's Copernicus climate service has placed Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland into a drought warning status, moving from a drought watch status earlier in 2025. This indicates low rainfall is now accompanied by declining soil-moisture levels and the first signs of vegetation stress. Across Northern Ireland river flows in March ended the month "exceptionally low".
BBC News
06-05-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Ireland weather: Hosepipe ban in parts of the Republic of Ireland
A hose pipe ban has been introduced in Milford in County Donegal, Mullingar in County Westmeath, and Kells-Oldcastle in County Meath amid concerns over very low water restrictions will apply from Tuesday and will last for six Éireann (Irish Water) has said dry conditions stretching back to last autumn, through winter, and into spring have led to a sharp drop in water supply at key in County Donegal is supplied by Lough Colmcille. Both it and Lough Bane, which serves the Kells-Oldcastle area, are at historically low levels. Lough Owel, which supplies Mullingar, is now at its lowest level for 50 years. The water conservation order bans the use of hose pipes for domestic and certain non-domestic uses, such as watering gardens outside organisation says this is aimed at preserving water for essential services. 'Dryer than normal' "The past 12 months have been drier than normal when compared to the long-term average" according to Margaret Attridge, head of water operations."This means that some water sources which traditionally would have replenished over the winter period have not seen the same level of recovery.""As a result, we are starting to experience issues with water availability at these sources," Ms Attridge saidDespite the targeted nature of the restrictions the utility has urged all households and businesses across Ireland to use water wisely as the country enters the summer in 2025 Irish weather service, Met Éireann, reported that rainfall was below average at most weather stations in the Republic during organisation also reported that autumn in 2024 was the 17th driest since records began in 1940. Will there be a hosepipe ban in Northern Ireland? In Northern Ireland, NI Water has said reservoirs are at a healthy position for the time of year despite experiencing a winter and spring with less than average rainfall."Rain in mid-April helped bring reservoir levels back up to 93% capacity" according to Water Supply Manager, Maynard Cousley."However, it is a timely reminder that our weather patterns are changing and we cannot take our water supply for granted."We must use our water supply wisely so we can conserve it for when we need it most." Drought watch status The EU's Copernicus climate service has placed Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland into a drought warning status, moving from a drought watch status earlier in indicates low rainfall is now accompanied by declining soil-moisture levels and the first signs of vegetation Northern Ireland river flows in March ended the month "exceptionally low".
Irish Daily Mirror
02-05-2025
- Climate
- Irish Daily Mirror
Uisce Eireann announces six-week hosepipe ban for towns in three counties
Homeowners in three rural towns will be hit with a hosepipe ban for six weeks from Tuesday due to falling reservoir levels. Uisce Éireann confirmed that a Water Conservation Order will be in place for Mullingar, Co Westmeath, Milford, Co Donegal, and Kells-Oldcastle, Co Meath. The order prohibits the use of garden hosepipes and other non-essential uses of water by domestic users and commercial premises for non-commercial activities. Uisce Eireann said the ban was due to a sharp drop in water levels at the sources supplying these areas, loughs Owel, Colmcille and Bane, following a drier-than-average autumn, winter and spring. Margaret Attridge, Head of Water Operations with Uisce Éireann, said: 'Uisce Éireann's top priority is to protect our water supply for use in homes, businesses and essential services. The past 12 months have been drier than normal when compared to the long-term average. "This means that some water sources which traditionally would have replenished over the winter period have not seen the same levels of recovery and, as a result, we are starting to experience issues with water availability at these sources. 'While the Water Conservation Order only applies to these three schemes, we are reminding all customers to be mindful of their use of water so that supplies can be protected, especially in areas where water resources are under pressure. "As we enter the summer months, warmer weather creates a surge in demand for water, for gardening, leisure and other purposes. However, using a hosepipe for one hour is the equivalent of the daily water usage of an average family and this is generally a non-essential use of water. We are asking everyone to play their part in conserving water and reporting leaks to help alleviate the pressure on our water supplies." 'There are lots of helpful tips for conserving water on but the key messages are to leave the hose and the pressure washer in the shed; reuse household water for the garden; and take shorter showers. We are calling on everyone to play their part so we can maintain supplies into the summer,' Ms Attridge added. To help people learn more about saving water, Uisce Éireann has developed an easy-to-use conservation calculator so they can work out how much water they are currently saving and how they can conserve even more. The calculator is available at where you can also find lots of useful water saving tips. Members of the public can report any leaks in the public water network by contacting Uisce Éireann 24/7 at 1800 278 278 or on
BBC News
07-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
BGT Post Office scandal choir still waiting
A postmaster has said a performance by a choir made up of people affected by the Post Office scandal has been crucial in keeping the story Attridge, who has run the post office in Crick, Northamptonshire, for 34 years, performed on Britain's Got Talent as part of the 40-strong Hear Our Voice choir comprising victims of the Horizon IT choir sang Falling Down, a song written and led by Will Rendle of rock group Will and the People, and earned a standing ovation on the ITV show for their emotional Attridge said: "I've had shortages... but nothing to what the majority in that choir have had. They certainly need redress because it has dragged on and on." The Post Office/Horizon IT scandal has been described as the UK's most widespread miscarriage of than 900 sub-postmasters were wrongfully prosecuted for theft and false accounting due to errors in the Post Office's faulty computer 1999 and 2015, the Post Office took 700 cases to court, with other authorities, including the Crown Prosecution Service, prosecuting a further 283 sub-postmasters were imprisoned and financially ruined, but over subsequent years the systemic problems within the IT system and a cover-up by the Post Office came to is an ongoing public Post Office IT Horizon Inquiry. 'The atmosphere was electric' Reflecting on performing in front of 4,500 people in Blackpool, Mr Attridge said: "The atmosphere was electric. It was so emotional as well. It was so uplifting, it was magic, it really was."We'd never rehearsed together until the Saturday night before the Sunday audition. That was the first time we'd all met up together. It was such a lovely atmosphere."The positive comments from [people in Crick] were amazing. The village has been so supportive."The choir is now awaiting news on whether it has progressed to the next round. 'Doing all we can' In a statement, the Post Office said it was "deeply sorry for the suffering caused to so many people by Post Office's past actions".It said it acknowledged that victims of the scandal needed answers, as well as justice and redress."The business failed to put postmasters first, did not listen to postmasters, and did not act on concerns postmasters raised with us," a spokesperson said."We are doing all we can to help get victims answers, including fully co-operating with police investigations to help try to put things right."Fujitsu, which developed the software Horizon, said it offered its deepest apologies to the sub-postmasters and their spokesperson added: "Fujitsu Europe's boss has previously said that the firm has a 'moral obligation' to contribute to compensation for sub-postmasters wrongly prosecuted as a result of its faulty IT software." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
