Night-time water restrictions are possible across more areas of Galway as pressure remains high on supplies across the county.
Irish Water has already imposed night-time restrictions at Carna, Kilkieran and Roundstone and on Inis Oirr, in response to lower supply levels.
Mid-afternoon restrictions are also in place which could affect homes and businesses in Monivea, Abbeyknockmoy, Kiltullagh, Athenry, Carrabane, Gurteen.
These restrictions are scheduled to take place daily from 2pm until 5pm until July 31, and may result in households experiencing low pressure or water outages during the day.
Irish Water are again appealing to residents, farmers, agricultural contractors, businesses and visitors to conserve water wherever possible to ensure a consistent supply for everyone.
With treatment plants operating at maximum capacity, the utility provider has not ruled out imposing wider ranging water restrictions.
Galway and Ireland as a whole has been experiencing a heatwave with little to no rain for the past week and more, though that broke for a time on Friday, with heavy downpours during a thunderstorm.
Tim O’Connor of Irish Water said “We are asking the public to conserve water where possible and to only use what they need whilst continuing to adhere to public health advice regarding COVID-19.”
“We have seen demand creeping up in recent weeks, spiking over the past few days with all water supplies experiencing significant increases in demand at this time.”
The Mid-Galway Water Supply Scheme has been under particular pressure, with at risk areas identified in Laurencetown and Eyrecourt in Ballinasloe and in Gurteen, Kiltullagh and Carrabane.
He added that Irish Water wants to ensure that it can continue to meet rising demand as restrictions lift, and the hospitality sector reopens.
Simple measures that people 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.
There is advice and guidance for homes, businesses and farms, including information on how much water you can save with simple measures on Irish Water’s Conservation section.
