Institution of Civil Engineers publish State of the Nation Water Report

Civil engineers are by nature a conservative bunch but in the ICE State of the Nation Water Report published this week they pull no punches. They describe a situation not unlike that in Ireland where the severity and urgency of the nation’s water problems are still not properly understood. They rate the current water security situation in the UK as level 4 on a 1-10 scale, which would be slightly better than Ireland which in some regions is higher. The report offers many possible solutions including the development of new water storage facilities, the removal of regulatory barriers that discourage water sharing between neighbouring companies and collaborative investment in new infrastructure. Among the issues that come as no surprise to us here in Ireland is the recommendation for the phased introduction of phased of universal metering, but with social tariffs to protect the poorest in society.

The grim fact is that if positive action is not taken quickly then water security in the UK could reach level 8 or 9 by 2025. Download a copy of the report at www.ice.org.uk/sonwater2012.

Water Restrictions Could Spread to Ireland

Shower timers can be tradtional egg timer
design or digital alarm systems

I am feeling rather depressed at not being issued with a waterproof four- minute egg timer for use in my shower as a simple tool to conserve water.  These are being issued throughout south-east England in an attempt to conserve supplies. South East and Anglia Water areas are especially at risk as are the midlands, including Birmingham.  However, with hosepipe bans inevitable, it appears that we are heading for a very dry year…as dry as 1975 which I remember very well.  It was the first and only time I have seen lawns and agricultural grassland simply wither and die.  Ireland may also be facing a similar situation this summer and as supplies are always at a critical level in the East, especially in the Greater Dublin area, it is perhaps time to seriously consider conservation measures and issuing waterproof egg timers here as well.

Dublin Faces Possible Water Shortages

Dublin City Council have issued advanced notice that their reservoirs in the Wicklow mountains are rapidly falling due to a very dry March and April resulting. With little or no water replenishing stocks reserves now stand at 120 days, rather than the usual 178 days normally expected at this time of year. This means that if dry weather continues then restrictions will have to be implemented both in the City and throughout the Greater Dublin area. The cut off point is 80days storage at which restrictions will be put into place. Consumers are asked to conserve supplies, especially in relation to using water for the garden and washing vehicles etc.

Ireland Facing Water Supply Crisis

Irish water suppliers are faced with further restricting water supplies throughout the country as the thaw sets in due to excessively high demand caused by burst pipes. Over 60 ML was lost last night from fractured mains in Dublin alone. Most seriously affected towns and cities include South Dublin, Cork city, Kilkenny, Athlone and Limerick.  Counties Wicklow, Kildare, Westmeath, Sligo  and Clare are also seriously affected.  For example, over 20,000 people in Tralee, Co. Kerry, are having water supplied on a phased basis only during the day as the local reservoirs are empty, with all supplies turned off during the night. Similar restictions are in place nationwide. Suppliers are also warning of curtailments to supplies as burst pipes are repaired and are calling for householders and businesses to conserve water to prevent further restrictions and interruptions in supplies.