Irish Water renews calls for water conservation

IRISH Water is asking people throughout Kerry – particularly those supplied by the Leataoibh, Listowel, Aughacasla and Brosna/Knocknagoshel public water schemes – to continue to conserve water as much as possible, as water levels on many schemes remain extremely low.

The national water utility said that as a result of the ongoing dry spell, demand is exceeding supply, and the sources for these water supply schemes are coming under increasing pressure.

“We are continuing to monitor the situation and putting contingency plans in place should they be needed in the coming weeks,” an Irish Water Spokesperson said.

“Divers were on site at Lough Guitane this week responding to record low levels in the lake due to the ongoing drought conditions and lack of rainfall in this area in recent months.

“Water levels in the lake have dropped 45 inches since June. The divers are investigating options to ensure raw water continues to flow into the Kerry Central Regional Supply Scheme, where it is treated and supplied to over 62,000 people in the Killarney and Tralee areas in Kerry every day,” the spokesperson added.

“While recent rainfall has led to a slight recovery in water levels in surface water sources, it will take sustained rainfall over many weeks and even months to fully replenish water levels in rivers, lakes and groundwater sources and treated drinking water levels in our storage reservoirs.”