Irish Water lifts conservation order

THE water conservation order imposed on County Wicklow during the summer drought has been lifted.

Irish Water confirmed the decision in recent days for Wicklow and surrounding counties Carlow, Wexford and Dublin as well as others in Leinster and Munster.

The order has been lifted following increased rainfall in the southern, eastern and midlands regions.

Irish Water Engineer John Gavin said that as rainfall is now falling at an average rate, water sources are being replenished.

‘ The Water Conservation Orders were vital for reducing significant peaks in demand that Irish Water witnessed in early June 2018. The orders, combined with excellent conservation efforts made by homes and businesses across the county, and the significant efforts of operational teams on the ground, prevented major outages to water supplies in many communities. As rainfall is returning to more average rates, our water sources, which were very dry during the summer, can begin to recharge more quickly. However, low water levels remain an issue in some communities, such as Kirikee, and Irish Water will continue to liaise with and support those affected,’ he said.

Mr Gavin also warned that it is essential that people continue to conserve water.

‘We are really grateful for all the efforts people made over the past few months in their homes and businesses. It was really encouraging to see. Conserving water will make our water sources more resilient and help to safeguard our water for the future benefiting communities all across Wicklow,’ he said. I’m thinking of getting the flu vaccine. Can you tell me about this vaccine?

INFLUENZA, usually known as the flu, is highly infectious and anyone can get it. However some groups are at greater risk of complications if they get the flu. This includes people over the age of 65, pregnant women and people who have a chronic medical condition.

The flu vaccine can help protect people from getting the flu. The flu virus changes every year and this is why there is a new vaccine each year.

Vaccination is strongly recommended if you:

Are aged 65 or over

Have a long-term medical condition, for example, diabetes or chronic heart, kidney, liver, lung or neurological disease Have an impaired immune system due to disease or treatment Have a body mass index (BMI) over 40

Are pregnant

Live in a nursing home or other long-stay institution

Are a carer or a healthcare worker

Have regular contact with poultry, water fowl or pigs

If you are aged 18 or over, you can get the vaccine from your GP (family doctor) or pharmacist. Children can get the vaccine from a GP.

The vaccine itself is free of charge if you are in one of the recommended groups. However, doctors and pharmacists may charge a consultation fee when they give you the vaccine.

If you have a medical card or GP visit card, you can get the vaccine without being charged a consultation fee.

To read more about the flu and the vaccine, visit hse.ie. Further information is available from the Citizens Information Centre below.