Donegal County Council has sent out its most serious message yet for people not to waste water across the county.
Council has pleaded with people not to wash cars or water gardens
With no change in the current dry period, the public are asked to conserve use of water to essential purposes only.
The council says the water supply for the county is now under “considerable strain.”
And in a statement they have appealed to people to take a series of practical steps not to waste water.
In order to ensure a continuous minimum supply to all areas, watering of gardens and washing of cars in particular should be avoided the council says.
Farmers are urged to check drinking troughs to ensure that ball-cocks have not been damaged causing over flow of the troughs
Golf Clubs / Football clubs are asked not to use the public water supply for watering greens / pitches
Donegal County Council note that it may be necessary to curtail water supplies in any area from time to time in the interest of water conservation. Notices to curtail or reduce water supplies will be updated on an ongoing basis on the Council’s website.
Every reduction, no matter how small, will contribute to maintaining supplies and your cooperation is appreciated, it says.
Water Saving Ideas for your home
• Don’t leave a tap running unnecessarily.
• Don’t fill your bath to the top-and if possible take a shower instead. A bath can use up to ten times more water than a shower.
• Turn the tap off when brushing your teeth (save up to 10 liters!).
• Plug the sink when washing your hands and face.
• Fill your washing machine and wash only full loads-the same goes for your dishwasher.
• Never wash dishes under a running tap-use the plug or a bowl.
• Repair any leaks or dripping taps promptly-a dripping tap can waste up to 91 liters per day.
• Insulate your hot water cylinder and hot water pipes.
• Go easy on that hose!-use a bucket of water to wash your car.
• Water the lawn only if needs be. Don’t end up watering the wall and the footpaths as well!
• Never water on a windy, rainy or very hot day.
What else can I do?
• A plastic bottle or dam in your toilet cistern
The average toilet uses 9-14 liters per flush. A plastic bottle or dam placed in the cistern can reduce that amount considerably and save several liters per day.
• Use a tap aerator
These are simple attachments, which can be fitted easily, producing a soft bubbly water stream. Aerators can also cut water usage by 50%
• Install a low-flow showerhead-
An inexpensive low flow showerhead reduces water usage in showers by up to 50% or more.
• Be sure your hose has a shut off nozzle-
Your hose should never be left on unnecessarily. Hoses without a nozzle can spout over 20 liters of water per minute. An inexpensive nozzle will eliminate wastage.
For more water conservation tips and information please visit www.taptips.ie