Latest news with #MargaretAttridge
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".
The Irish Sun
02-05-2025
- Climate
- The Irish Sun
Urgent hosepipe ban for 3 areas after record-breaking 25.9C temps & ‘no rain forecast' fears – six ways to save water
IRELAND is set to continue baking in the sun as high temperatures stick around for the next two weeks. The country has been enjoying glorious weather over the past week with temperatures reaching record- breaking highs. Advertisement 2 Uisce Eireann's Margaret Attridge Credit: HANDOUT PR IMAGE 2 Irish water chiefs have asked people to be mindful of their water use Credit: Getty Images - Getty The hottest April day ever in Ireland was recorded on Wednesday with a temperature of 25.9C in Athenry, Co Galway. This smashed the previous record of 25.8C in Glenties, Co Donegal, in April 1984. Alan O'Reilly of Carlow Weather has explained that Ireland is set to be Telling how, at present, there is " Advertisement READ MORE ON IRISH NEWS "There will be some showers but if you look here at the total rainfall forecast for the whole of Europe for the next two weeks and even a little bit beyond very little rainfall expected for Ireland. "Obviously beyond seven days that can change, so there is a possibility that we could see rain in ten days time, those things can change. "But at the moment if you look, Ireland looks to be one of the driest spots in Europe for the next two weeks." So as we come into summer, Uisce Eireann is pleading with households and businesses to be mindful of their use of water with supplies facing major pressure. Advertisement Most read in Irish News Homeowners in three rural towns will be hit with a hosepipe ban for six weeks from Tuesday due to falling reservoir levels. Uisce Eireann confirmed that a Water Conservation Order will be in place for Mullingar, Co Officials 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. Here Margaret Attridge, head of water operations with Uisce Éireann, warns that the country is not flush with water – and urges for the nation to conserve supply. Advertisement URGENT WATER APPEAL UISCE Éireann is appealing to all customers to be mindful of their use of water as we enter the summer months. The Water Conservation Order 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. This Order has been issued in a bid to safeguard these water supplies for essential purposes. This is necessary due to a sharp drop in water levels at the sources supplying these areas following a dryer-than-average autumn, winter and spring. Lough Owel which supplies the Mullingar Public Water Supply is currently at its lowest level in 50 years. Advertisement Similarly, Lough Colmcille which supplies Milford in Donegal, and Lough Bane which supplies Kells-Oldcastle in Co Meath are also at historically low levels. In recent weeks, Uisce Éireann has been putting in place a number of measures to maintain and protect these supplies, including enhanced leakage repair works, pressure management and public water conservation campaigns in an effort to reduce demand to sustainable levels. DRIER THAN NORMAL 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. Advertisement 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 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. But 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. Advertisement There are 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 every- one to play a part so we can maintain supplies into the summer. Simple actions, such as taking a shorter shower, placing a basin in the sink and fixing leaking taps can all make a significant impact. Uisce Éireann has developed an easy-to-use conservation calculator to help people find out how much water they are saving and what they can do to save even more. See TOP TIPS TO CONSERVE WATER Leak free: Check your home is leak free. Check for running overflows and fix any dripping taps, cisterns or pipes. Don't let the tap run: Brushing your teeth with the tap running can use up to a staggering 6 litres per minute. Brushing your teeth with the tap off will use a more modest 1 litre of water. Shower vs Bath: The average bath uses 80 litres of water compared to an average shower using 49 litres in seven minutes. Switch your bath to a shower. Less time: With the average shower using 7 litres of water per minute by turning your five minute shower into four minutes, you could save up to 7 litres of water per day. Fully loaded: Always ensure your dishwasher and washing machines are fully loaded. A modern washing machine uses around 65 litres of water a cycle while a dishwasher uses 20 litres. You will also reduce your energy bills Don't flush it all away: A third of all water is flushed down the toilet. Some larger cisterns can continue to work effectively with a smaller flush. Place a displacement device into the cistern (out of the way of moving parts).
Agriland
02-05-2025
- Climate
- Agriland
Uisce Éireann issues hosepipe ban for 3 counties
Uisce Éireann has confirmed that a Water Conservation Order, commonly referred to as a hosepipe ban, will be introduced for the following three supply areas: Mullingar, Co. Westmeath; Milford, Co. Donegal; and Kells, Oldcastle, Co. Meath. The orders will come into effect on Tuesday, May 6, for six weeks, and will apply to these three locations exclusively, and not to the rest of the country. However, Uisce Éireann has appealed to all customers to be mindful of their use of water as we enter the summer months. The conservation order prohibits the use of garden hosepipes and other non-essential uses of water by domestic users and commercial premises for non-commercial activities, including watering gardens attached to a business premises. The instances where drawing water through a hosepipe is prohibited include: Watering a garden; Cleaning a private motor-vehicle using a domestic hosepipe; Cleaning a private leisure boat; Filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool (except when using hand-held containers filled directly from a tap); Filling or maintaining a domestic pond (excluding fish ponds); Filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain (with the exception of such use for commercial purposes); Filling or replenishing an artificial pond, lake, or similar application. Uisce Éireann stated that the ban has been issued to safeguard the water supplies in these areas for essential purposes, due to a sharp drop in water levels at their sources following a dryer-than-average autumn, winter, and spring. E.g., Lough Owel, which supplies the Mullingar public water supply, is reported to be at its lowest level in 50 years. Similarly, Lough Colmcille, which supplies Milford in Donegal, and Lough Bane, which supplies Kells-Oldcastle in Co. Meath are also at historically low levels. In recent weeks, Uisce Éireann introduced a number of measures to maintain and protect these supplies, including enhanced leakage repair works, pressure management, and public water conservation campaigns, in an effort to reduce demand to sustainable levels. Head of water operations with Uisce Éireann, Margaret Attridge 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 supplies, 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.' To help people learn more about saving water, Uisce Éireann has developed a conservation calculator, available on its website, to enable people to work out how much water they are currently saving and how they can conserve even more. Members of the public are asked to report any leaks in the public water network by contacting Uisce Éireann. Attridge said: '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,' Uisce Eireann's tips to conserve water: Leak free: Check for running overflows and fix any dripping taps, cisterns, or pipes; Don't let the tap run: Brushing your teeth with the tap running can use up to a staggering 6L/minute. Brushing your teeth with the tap off will use a more modest 1L of water; Shower instead of bathing: The average bath uses 80L of water compared to an average shower using 49L in seven minutes; Less time: With the average shower using 7L of water per minute, by turning your five minute shower into four minutes, you could save up to 7L of water per day; Fully loaded: Always ensure your dishwasher and washing machines are fully loaded. A modern washing machine uses approximately 65L of water per cycle while a dishwasher uses 20L; Don't flush it all away: A third of all water used in the home is flushed down the toilet. Some larger cisterns can continue to work effectively with a smaller flush. Place a displacement device into the cistern (out of the way of moving parts) to save water. For businesses: Conduct a water audit to see where savings can be made; Appoint water stewards who will champion water conservation; Invest in water-efficient devices and appliances, such as dual flush toilets, mixer taps, and low flow showers; Raise awareness amongst customers and employees with water conservation notices and signage.
