Rainfall at last – but we need four more weeks of it
FARMERS hailed long-overdue rainfall across Ireland as the heatwave ended, but Irish Water warned that at least four weeks’ rain is now required to replenish streams, rivers, lakes and reservoirs.
A Status Yellow drought warning will remain in place across Ireland until Wednesday. Irish Water said that, despite the rainfall, further water supply restrictions would come into force this week to protect vital water sources.
A total of 34 areas around Dublin will have water pressure reduced between 10pm and 5am from today in a desperate bid to preserve water supplies. However, no restrictions are currently planned for daytime hours.
Under the new controls, water pressure will be reduced in 34 areas across the greater Dublin region – in essence dropping water flow to a trickle overnight. The new measures are in combination with a hosepipe ban in Dublin and across Ireland, which will remain in place until early August.
Dr Conor Murphy, of Maynooth University, an expert in hydrology, said the level of rainfall in June was the lowest in almost 160 years.
“In June, the Phoenix Park recorded its driest month in 160 years, with just 3.8mm of rain for the entire month. At Dublin Airport, May and June were the two driest months in almost 168 years, with just 23.9mm of rainfall being recorded.”
Ireland came within just 1C two weeks ago of recording the highest temperature in history.
“Recent research has shown that even if global temperature rise is limited to 2C above pre-industrial levels, Ireland will likely experience more frequent droughts.
“Increases in temperature and evaporation along with drier summers are behind the findings,” said Dr Murphy.
While parts of Ireland yesterday got the first decent rainfall since June 21, other areas didn’t see much rain – and the medium to long-range weather predictions are that Ireland won’t see the required levels of rainfall over the next seven to 10 days.
One forecast indicated that Ireland could see another spell of warm, dry weather from next weekend.
Parched
Irish Water said that even if Ireland got two full weeks of decent rainfall, the majority of the water would simply be soaked up by the parched ground.
“What we need is two to four weeks’ rainfall and to get the soil/moisture deficit to over 10ml to get water levels to begin to rise in rivers, lakes and reservoirs,” Irish Water’s Kate Gannon said.
The areas of Dublin that will now see reduced overnight water pressure include the city centre, Phibsboro, Smithfield, Drumcondra, Cabra, Whitehall, Finglas, Beaumont, Marino, East Wall, Inchicore, Crumlin, Ballyfermot, Kimmage, Walkinstown, Chapelizod, Ranelagh, Rathgar, Ballsbridge, Donnybrook, Sandymount, Ringsend, Clondalkin, Lucan, Tallaght, Templeogue, Ballyboden, Rathfarnham, Dalkey, Killiney, Ballybrack, Shankill, Cabinteely and Bray.
Irish Water stressed that the decision to introduce the controls was not taken lightly.
It also urged any customer who is being adversely affected by the new measures to contact the Irish Water customer care line on 1850 278 278.
Some areas, particularly those at the end of supply networks, may experience more problems than other areas with water pressures.
Ireland is now in the middle of the most serious drought since 1976 – but with indications it could be the worst drought since the 1880s.