Nighttime restrictions have been put in place and Donegal householders are being urged to reduce water usage during the hot spell.
Irish Water said it is continuing to see high levels of domestic and commercial demand for treated drinking water in Donegal as temperatures remain high.
Demand for water in Carrigart, Downings, Fanad and Rathmullan/Ramelton areas in Letterkenny; Clonmany, Carndonagh, Malin Town, Malin Head and Gleenely in Inishowen and across the Lough Mourne Water Supply Zone is high. As a result of low reservoir storage levels, night time restrictions have been put in place in Lifford, Convoy, Raphoe, Castlefinn, Ballybofey, Stranorlar and Glenfin.
“Night-time restrictions in all other areas are now a real possibility if demand doesn’t ease, as water treatment plants continue to operate at maximum capacity,” a spokesperson for the water utility said.
“We would like to thank the public and ask for their continued support to conserve water in their homes, businesses and on farms. Irish Water has been working closely with Donegal County Council to maximise the amount of treated drinking water available to all customers. With the high temperatures and larger numbers of people in many tourist and coastal areas our caretakers and plant operators have been taking every measure to ensure that supply can keep up with increases in demand.”
Both Irish Water and Donegal County Council are asking customers to only use water for essential use on the Lough Mourne Public Water Supply.
There are some simple measures that the public can take including stopping the use of power washers at home; using a watering can rather than a hose in the garden; taking showers over baths; and fixing any dripping taps where it is possible to do so.
