Irish Water has announced that it is reviewing the need for the Water Conservation Order, more commonly known as the hosepipe ban, following recent heavy rainfall and improving river and ground water conditions.
The ban was put in place on 9 June and was expected to remain in place until 21 July.
After ‘above average’ rainfall in many areas of the country in recent weeks, some of the water supplies that were in drought or at risk of drought have recovered.
In Co Donegal Lough Mourne, Lettemacaward, Rosses Regional, Letterkenny and Rathmullen were affected when the Water Conservation Order was first put in place. This number has now dropped to two including Rathmullen and Letterkenny, which are still classified as being at risk of going into drought.
Irish Water is continuing to monitor these water sources as their recovery is fragile and subject to change. Early next week Irish Water will again meet with Met Eireann, the OPW, the EPA and other key stakeholders to discuss the impact of the recent rainfall with consideration to lifting or partially lifting the Water Conservation Order.
Irish Water Lead for Co Donegal Kevin Love said: “It is still essential that members of the public in Co Donegal continue to conserve water and form good household habits at this time. Any non-essential use of water should be discouraged, whether we are in a drought or not.
“We would like to thank the people of Co Donegal for their efforts in conserving water in their homes and gardens over the past number of weeks and our large water users who have worked proactively with us to use water more efficiently in their businesses.”
