Kildare is asked to conserve water until the end of September

UISCE Éireann has confirmed that the Water Conservation Order for Kildare will be extended until midnight on 30 September, as water sources and public water supplies in the county remain under pressure and need more time to recover.

The current nationwide Order is due to expire at 23.59pm on Wednesday, 26 August. However, the Order will remain in place in Kildare and 12 other counties where continued protection of water supplies is required. The extension is subject to prevailing weather conditions and the availability of water for distribution.

The Water Conservation Order was introduced on 16 July following a prolonged period of hot and dry weather, high water use and growing pressure on public water supplies.

While increased rainfall and the public’s conservation efforts have improved conditions in many parts of the country, supplies in parts of the east and south remain under pressure.

Kildare is supplied through the Greater Dublin Area Water Resource Zone, where demand has remained at historically high levels throughout August. Water treatment plants continue to operate at or near maximum output and pressure on treated water storage remains elevated. Extending the Order will help reduce pressure on the network and maintain supplies for customers across the county.

Customers are being asked to continue using only the water they need and to avoid non-essential water use. This will help conserve the water currently available and protect supplies for homes, businesses, farms, hospitals, vulnerable customers and essential services.

Stephen Burke, Regional Operations Senior Manager for the East region with Uisce Éireann, thanked communities across Kildare for their support:

“We recognise the effort that people have already made to conserve water, and we sincerely appreciate their continued support.

“Although conditions have improved in many parts of the country, Kildare water sources and public water supplies need more time to recover. Extending the Water Conservation Order will help us protect the water that is available and reduce the risk of disruption to customers.

“We are asking everyone to continue using only the water they need and to avoid non-essential use. Every drop saved will help protect local supplies and keep water available for essential daily needs.

“Simple actions can make a real difference. Taking shorter showers, fixing dripping taps or leaking toilets, running washing machines and dishwashers only when full, and using a watering can instead of a hose will all help.” The public can help by reporting visible leaks on the public water network to Uisce Éireann on 1800 278 278 or through water.ie. Further water conservation advice is available at water.ie/conservation.