Ireland’s scorching heatwave is piling pressure on the country’s water supply, with households being urged to cut back on usage as reservoirs struggle to keep up with soaring demand.
Uisce Éireann has warned that the volume of water being used each day is now outstripping the amount that can be treated and replaced in several parts of the country, raising concerns that restrictions may become unavoidable if consumption continues at its current pace.
The utility has asked homes, businesses, and farms in several affected areas to use water carefully, particularly across the Greater Dublin region, the Cooley Peninsula, parts of Cork, south Leitrim, and Tipperary.
Officials have also revealed that overnight water restrictions are now being considered for Dublin and surrounding areas if demand does not ease in the coming days.
The appeal comes as Ireland remains gripped by an intense heatwave, with temperatures expected to reach around 30 degrees in some areas this weekend.
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Met Éireann has issued a Status Yellow high temperature warning covering 13 counties until 7 am on Sunday, including Carlow, Cork, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Limerick, Longford, Meath, Offaly, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath and Wexford.
A second weather warning will then take effect from 1 pm on Sunday, extending into Monday morning for Clare, Cork, Galway, Kerry, Kilkenny, Laois, Limerick, Mayo, Offaly and Tipperary, where temperatures are expected to remain well above normal.
Forecasters say the settled weather is likely to continue into next week, with warm nights bringing little relief as temperatures may stay around 15 degrees after dark.
The prolonged heat is expected to create uncomfortable sleeping conditions and increase the risk of heat-related illness, while authorities are also reminding people to take extra care around beaches, rivers and lakes as more people head outdoors.
There are additional concerns that the dry conditions could heighten the danger of forest and vegetation fires.
Uisce Éireann says everyday activities such as watering gardens, filling paddling pools, washing cars, and power-hosing patios are placing significant strain on the network during peak periods.
On the busiest days, reservoir levels have been falling by as much as 30 million litres, highlighting the scale of demand and the need for people to conserve water wherever possible.
The utility is urging the public to avoid unnecessary water use so supplies can be maintained throughout the continuing heatwave.
* This article was originally published on Extra.ie.
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