Ireland's water supply threatened by incoming heatwave with 15 areas at risk

Fifteen areas across Ireland are currently impacted by water shortages amid the hot weather as officials warn 60 more are under threat.

Met Eireann has forecast a scorcher of a week ahead with temperatures expected to reach 29C in some areas, driving up the demand for water.

As a result of this incoming hot weather and the bout of summer we had in mid-July, added to a severe lack of rain in some areas, the risk of drought is rising according to Irish Water.

READ MORE: Irish Water reported almost 9,000 incidents to Environmental Protection Agency since 2014 including untreated sewage and explosions

The areas currently impacted by shortages are:

1. Wexford Wexford Town
2. Wexford Killmallock Bridge WTP
3. Wexford Taylorstown New WTP
4. Kilkenny Bennettsbridge WTP
5. Kilkenny Clogh Castlecomer WTP (Loon WTP)
6. Wexford Bunclody
7. Laois Swan WTP
8. Limerick Oola WTP
9. Cork Whitechurch WTP
10. Galway Inis Oirr WTP
11. Cork Roberts Cove Reservoir
12. Clare Carron Abstraction Site (Termon Spring)
13. Cork Coppeen Pump Station
14. Tipperary Coalbrook
15. Tipperary Kilcash

In light of this, Irish Water has implemented a range of measures such as tankering and/or night-time restrictions to protect supplies and ensure water keeps flowing to homes and businesses.

Speaking about the current situation, Tom Cuddy, Irish Water’s Head of Asset Operations, said: “We would like to thank the public for their support in conserving water, particularly during the hot weather in mid-July.

“While recent rainfall has reduced the risk of drought we would ask the public that they continue to conserve over the coming weeks.

“It can sometimes be difficult to know where to start, but even small changes can make a significant difference – and we can all play our part.

“By reducing the water used, for example turning off the hose and avoiding power washing, we can all help ensure there is enough water for everyone as we go through the rest of the Summer and into Autumn.

“To help people learn more about saving water we have 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 free calculator is available on the Irish Water website at www.water.ie/calculator where you can also find lots of useful water-saving tips.

“We will continue to monitor the levels at all our supplies over the coming weeks and months and take any actions that may be necessary to maintain supplies, including communicating about localised issues as they arise.”

Members of the public can report any leaks in the public water network by contacting Irish Water 24/7 at 1800 278 278 or on water.ie

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