SERIOUS water restrictions, including rolling water cuts, could be enforced in Ennis, Tulla and north Clare if heavy rainfalls, forecast for later this week, do not materialise.
According to Clare County Council, yesterday’s light rainfall has had little or no impact on the water levels in the under-threat reservoirs, with more than two inches of rain now required before water reserves can even begin to be replenished.
The local authority will tomorrow instigate a number of restrictions on water use in the three affected areas. The restrictions, which will remain in place until the end of July, prohibit the watering of gardens and sports grounds, watering crops and washing cars.
“The rain that fell today [Monday] was very light and we need a significant fall to have an impact. More rain has been forecast for Wednesday night and Thursday so hopefully that will help the situation,” said Sean Ward, an engineer with Clare County Council.
“The weather has been so dry that we need to get something in excess of two inches to get the groundwater moving again and replenish the water supplies.”
Some night-time water cut-offs have already been imposed in Tulla and Clare County Council say they are monitoring the situation in Ennis, Lickeen Lake in Ennistymon and in Tulla on a daily basis to determine if more restrictions are to be introduced.
“Despite the flooding which took place late last year, rain levels were low in December, January and February - which is when you expect the lakes and resevoirs to be refilled. Most of the water from last year’s flooding simply flowed into the sea,” continued Mr Ward.
“We have no artificial storage facilities in Clare. Storing this water would be hugely expensive and it would involve the flooding of acres of land. The overall solution for this problem in Clare is better water conservation.
“This has been an exceptionally dry year, the driest since 1995 from what I understand. You can’t really draw a connection between this and global warming. There is not enough evidence yet for that.”
From midnight tonight, Tuesday, June 29, restrictions will be in place on a number of activities in Ennis, Clarecastle, Barefield, Crusheen, Tulla and all public supplies in north Clare and connected group water schemes.
The local authority has advised people in these areas to repair all leaks, avoid washing cars and watering lawns and check all lands and agricultural buildings for leaking pipes and leaking taps on troughs.
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