Irish Water, a water utility company in Ireland, has warned that there is a narrowing gap between supply and demand in the system for the greater Dublin area.
Irish Water and local authorities in the region called on residents to conserve water, as the demand for drinking water reaches record levels over the Christmas period, reported the Irish Times.
The increase in demand for water over the last few weeks is higher than any previous year. More specifically, it is 10 million litres a day higher than this time last year, reported Irish Times.
Water production capacity has been reduced as work continues at the Leixlip plant, which is currently undergoing upgrades. The plant recently lifted a boil water notice in November and is in the process of monitoring and water testing to mitigate the issue.
Officials recommend residents conserve water by turning off the tap when brushing teeth and shaving, as well as keeping a jug of water in the fridge instead of running the cold tap.
Further upgrades are ongoing in Stillorgan and Vartry, which are anticipated to be complete in 2020.
“We are urging consumers to conserve water where they can. This is a rolling issue, it is an enduring situation that we will have for several months,” said Tom Cuddy, Irish Water’s head of asset operations to RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland. “There is a huge amount of work going on all the time reconfiguring supply so we can get the maximum from all the plants.”
The EPA’s Water Quality in Ireland 2013-2018 report notes a dramatic loss of sites with what is considered “best of the best” river water, according to IrishCentral.
