Conserve Water

“Be Water Wise”

Like all natural resources, we don’t have an endless supply of water. It is especially important in the summer months that we make a concerted effort to conserve water.

During summer dry spells, Donegal County Council issues Water Conservation Notices appealing to all consumers in the county to conserve their use of water to essential purposes only. Dry summer spells and increased seasonal demand add considerable strain on our water supplies. In order to ensure a continuous minimum supply to all areas, watering of gardens and washing of cars in particular should be avoided. 

Farmers are urged to check drinking troughs to ensure that ball-cocks have not been damaged due to high consumption levels by cattle causing over flow of the troughs. 

Golf Clubs / football clubs are asked not to use the public water supply for watering greens / pitches.

Please be aware 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.

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 litres!).
• 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 litres 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?

• Place a plastic bottle or dam in your toilet cistern. The average toilet uses 9-14 litres per flush. A plastic bottle or dam placed in the cistern can reduce that amount considerably and save several litres 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 litres of water per minute. An inexpensive nozzle will eliminate wastage.

For more water conservation tips and information, please visit www.taptips.ie