South Meath areas in hosepipe ban

Irish Water's hosepipe ban for the 'Greater Dublin Area' which came into effect on Monday covers the Dunboyne, Kilcloon and Kilbride areas of Meath.

The Water Conservation Order, which bans the use of a hosepipe to water a garden, wash a car, or boat, fill a paddling or swimming pool or pond, will be in place until 31st July, but Irish Water will keep the situation under review and may have to extend the period of time the order is in place.
As Meath basks in record temperatures again this week, Irish Water has appealed for supply conservation as the prolonged dry spell increases pressure on water supplies.
Irish Water’s Drought Management Team is monitoring water supplies and demand around the on a daily basis.
Irish Water’s Corporate Affairs Manager, Kate Gannon said: “If demand does not decrease we will start to see homes and businesses experience shortages. The longer this continues, the more people will be at risk of shortages and outages.”
“Irish Water’s Leakage Reduction Programme has teams are on the ground now but we also need the public’s support to reduce their water usage.”
Deputy Thomas Byrne has encouraged residents living in the areas affected by the hosepipe ban to conserve water and take cognisance of the Irish Water ban.
However, he called on Irish Water to make the restrictions clearer. “When I posted the hosepipe ban announcement on social media, many local residents in Dunboyne, Kilbride and Kilcloon were surprised that they were included in the Greater Dublin Area water supply. It is imperative that Irish Water make it clear to the Meath residents affected.
“I know people will be responsible and will not knowingly waste water during the period of the hosepipe ban and the hot weather. People living in these areas and who are on the public water supply are expected to refrain from watering their gardens, washing their cars, and other activities which could be deemed unnecessary like filling swimming pools and artificial ponds. I would also encourage others living outside of the restricted areas to exercise responsibility and prudence. I know people will engage in civic neighbourliness and cohesion,” Deputy Byrne said.
“I also want to thank the many Meath County Council firecrews who have been very busy fighting blazes around the county. The entire community in Meath are extremely grateful for their commitment and heroic efforts,” concluded Deputy Byrne.
The Chairperson of ICMSA’s Farm and Rural Affairs Committee, Denis Drennan, said it is hugely important that Irish Water and other responsible bodies to communicate early and frequently with people in the event of there being water shortages or any limitation of supplies.
Mr Drennan said dairy farmers were particularly exposed and had to be mindful always that ensuring adequate water supplies for their cows was not a commercial consideration but actually is a key animal welfare issue