Water supplies in parts of Donegal remain at risk of drought despite this week’s heavy rainfall.
Two water schemes are in drought status in Donegal and three others are in ‘potential drought status’, according to Irish Water.
The National Water Conservation Order remains in place due to the exceptionally dry spring.
Irish Water is again calling on the people of Donegal to avoid using garden hosepipes and other non-essential uses of water.
Irish Water Lead for Co Donegal Kevin Love says: “We are monitoring a number of water supplies in Co Donegal that have reduced raw water source levels as a result of the prolonged dry period. Lettermacward and Rathmullen are currently in drought status with three other schemes in potential drought status including Letterkenny, Lough Mourne and Rosses Regional – Crolly. At this time we are urging consumers on all water supplies to be mindful of their use at this time due to decreasing reservoir levels to ensure there is water available for all customers across the county.
Mr Love added: “Unfortunately short periods of rainfall, such as those we have experienced last weekend, are not sufficient to return raw water sources to normal levels. A minimum accumulation of 100mm rainfall and a return to normal precipitation levels thereafter would be needed to offset the impact of the unseasonal lack of rainfall since March. We are keeping the situation under continuous review and are liaising closely with other key agencies such as Met Éireann, the OPW, the EPA, amongst others and if the situation improves we will consider lifting the Water Conservation Order. However any change is unlikely in the short term.”
