Uisce Éireann Urges Water Conservation Across West and North Cork Amid Warm Weather Demand

Uisce Éireann is asking customers across West Cork and parts of North Cork to conserve water, as increased use during the current spell of warm weather means supplies are being used faster than they can be treated.

Raw water sources remain stable, but the level of demand is placing pressure on the treatment process. This means treated water is being used more quickly than it can be produced and stored in local reservoirs. Customers are being encouraged to reduce usage where possible to allow treated water reservoirs time to recover, helping to maintain a consistent supply for homes and businesses across the county.

As a proactive contingency measure to safeguard water supplies during this period of elevated demand and prolonged dry weather, tankering to the treated water reservoir in Carrignavar was due to commence on 07 July.

In North Cork, tankering operations are due to begin in Freemount on 08 July, while Uisce Éireann continues to closely monitor water levels and network performance at the reservoir on the Ballykenly/Johnstown Scheme. These measures are designed to maintain resilience within the network and help protect supplies for customers across the area.

In West Cork, contingency tankering is also due to commence on 08 July to support the Ardgehane, Reenascreena and Nohoval reservoirs. The additional water supply will provide operational flexibility and help sustain reservoir levels while weather and demand conditions remain under close review.

All contingency measures remain subject to ongoing assessment, with a further operational review scheduled for Friday, 10 July.

Uisce Éireann is continuing to carefully manage water resources across the region and will take any necessary operational measures to ensure the continued reliability and resilience of water supplies in response to customer demand and prevailing weather conditions.

Niall O'Riordan, Operations Manager, Uisce Éireann, urged the community of West Cork and in parts of North Cork to support the conservation measures:

"Periods of warmer weather typically drive higher water demand as more water is used at home, in gardens and across businesses. We are asking customers to support efforts to protect local water supplies by being mindful of their usage and conserving water wherever possible. Water is a precious resource, and small actions can make a significant difference.

We are asking customers to reduce their usage to give treated water reservoirs time to replenish. Even small changes, when taken across communities, can have a significant impact in maintaining supply for everyone. It's not always obvious where to start, but simple actions at home and in the garden can make a real difference."

In the garden, using a rose-head watering can over a hose or sprinkler, aiming water at the roots and watering early or late in the day, can limit evaporation. Choosing low-water plants such as lavender or olive trees is also worthwhile, as established plants and lawns often don't need watering unless there's a drought. Adding bark or plant material to flower beds, or using gel beads in pots, helps lock in moisture.

Indoors, taking short showers instead of baths can save up to 10 litres of water per minute, compared with the 80 litres used by a typical bath. Turning off the tap while brushing teeth or shaving can save up to 6 litres a minute, and keeping a jug of water in the fridge for drinks helps too. Washing machines and dishwashers should only be run with a full load, and fixing dripping taps matters, as a single dripping tap can waste between 5,000 and 10,000 litres of water a year.

Other tips include using a basin in the sink when rinsing vegetables or washing dishes, then reusing that water for plants, cleaning the car with a bucket and sponge instead of a hose, and installing a water butt to collect rainwater from gutters for use in the garden or yard.

More information on water conservation is available at water.ie/conservation.

Members of the public can report any leaks in the public water network by contacting Uisce Éireann on 1800 278 278 or online at Report a Leak. Uisce Éireann's customer care team is available 24/7 on 1800 278 278, and customers can also get in touch via X @IWCare. For further updates, visit the service and supply section of water.ie.

Uisce Éireann also operates a free text alert service providing real-time updates for local issues. Customers can sign up with their Eircode and mobile number via the Text Alerts page.