‘Exceptionally dry’ April leads to water warnings

SOME 27,000 households have been urged to conserve water in parts of Donegal, north Galway and Westmeath due to a lack of rainfall over recent months.

Irish Water has urged households and businesses to reduce consumption where possible because rainfall levels are way below monthly averages.

Met Éireann has said April was “exceptionally dry”, and while March was wet, rainfall was below average in February and January. Last autumn was also below average.

Some of the towns affected by shortages include Mulling- ar and Moate, Co Westmeath, Ramelton, Co Donegal, and Mountbellew, Co Galway.

In all, more than 3,000 households are affected in Galway, 3,700 in Donegal and more than 20,000 in Co Westmeath.

Businesses, including the hospitality trade, are also being urged to reduce consumption.