Uisce Éireann appeals to the public across West Tipperary to help reduce water use

Information below is relevant until further updates are provided here or on our Supply and Service Updates section

Uisce Éireann is appealing to everyone supplied by the Galtee Regional Water Supply to be mindful of their use of water. Every drop counts, especially as we move into what is expected to be a warmer, drier period. 

While recent weeks have brought cooler and wetter weather, the water supply remains under significant pressure. There has been a notable increase in demand for water in this area of Tipperary since the summer arrived. With warmer, drier weather forecast, we are appealing to everyone to conserve water to safeguard the water supply. 

The Galtee Supply, sourced from the river Muskry, serves over 10,000 customers across a large area of west Tipperary, including the villages of Bansha, Aherlow, Rossaddrehid, Lattin and Emly, as well as communities across Lisvernane, Longford pass, Cordangan, Aherlow, Ross Bog, Ardlomen, Mount Bruis, Kilross, Shronell, Glenbane, Cullen, Rosegreen, Mocklers hill, Ballyduague, Knockgraffon, Annegift, Kilbragh, Coolmoyne, Tullamaine, Miltownmore, Barretstown, Barretsgrange, Derrylusk, Ardsallagh, Rathbrit and Ballydoyle. 

Pierce Faherty, Uisce Éireann Water Operations Manager in Tipperary, said, “We are appealing to the communities supplied by the Galtee regional water supply to make every effort to conserve water to maintain the supply. Although we have seen some welcome rainfall, the long-term effects of a dry autumn, winter, and spring are still being felt. This supply is under considerable pressure, with a notable increase in demand since the beginning of June.

“We’re doing everything we can to protect and maintain supplies throughout the summer, but we’re also asking the public for their help by doing what they can to reduce their use. If everyone takes a few simple steps to reduce the volume of water used around the home, in the garden, at work, or on the farm, we can make our water go further and help maintain normal supplies.

“In response to the Galtee water supply coming under pressure, we have increased our efforts with a series of measures to safeguard supply, including doubling down on leakage detection, pipe repair, and overall network management.”  

Uisce Éireann continues to closely monitor and manage all water supplies across the county, with a focus also on Coalbrook, Commons, Dualla, and Clonmel. We are taking measures to maintain normal supplies through interventions such as tankering to reservoirs and managing pressure.

It would take several weeks of sustained rainfall to allow affected water sources to recover to normal levels. The latest forecast indicates a continuation of warmer, drier weather, which could further increase demand and place additional strain on already stressed supplies.

Everyone in Tipperary can play their part in protecting the water supplies for their community by taking simple steps to reduce their water use. 

These include:

• Leave the hose and power washer in the shed and use a watering can for the garden. Running a hose for one hour uses the same amount of water as a family needs for a full day.
• If you need to wash your car, use a bucket and sponge instead of a hose or power washer.
• 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 for a massive water saving
• Less time: With the average shower using 7 litres of water per minute, turning your five-minute shower into a four-minute shower 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 approximately 65 litres of water per cycle, while a dishwasher uses 20 litres. By ensuring they are fully loaded, not only will you conserve water, but you will also reduce your energy bills

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 www.water.ie/calculator, where you can also find a range 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 via water.ie