wexford
thechronicle June 1, 2020 t: 0539102441, www.thechronicle.ie
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Water warning as dry spells looms
HOUSEHOLDERS across the county have been asked to save water as the country heads into another prolonged dry spell. Families have been asked not to waste water by filling paddling pools and using powerwashers, and warned that any pool that needs to be filled with a hose should be banned from households. Irish Water says supplies across the country are ‘under pressure’ due to an increase
in use during the Covid-19 pandemic. With most people now spending the majority of their time at home, domestic water use has soared by 20%. The utility is pleading with people to cut back on water use, warning it will consider a hosepipe ban if necessary. Irish Water has revealed that domestic water has seen an average increase of 24 litres person every day – a 20%
increase from February. While non-domestic consumptions has fallen following the closure of nonessential facilities nationwide, domestic demand represents two-thirds of Irish Water’s business, meaning water supplies are still under pressure. The company said this strain will be heightened in the coming summer months if the country experiences low levels of rainfall and sustained
dry weather. Given the dry conditions in March, April and May, and the short to medium term forecast, Irish Water’s Water Scarcity Group has been put on notice in anticipation of any future shortages. A hosepipe ban was previously implemented during the summer of 2018. There are tips on how to conserve water in your home at https://www.water.ie/ conservation/.
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Martina Slattery, Clinical Nurse Manager from Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services, at tha launch of ‘Share the Sunshine’ as Hospice Sunflower Days annual street collection goes virtual www.togetherforhospice.ie. Pic: Bryan Brophy