AFTER ONE of the wettest winters in decades, several west coast authorities are now struggling to cope with severely depleted water supplies.
Most critically affected is the largest of the three Aran islands off Galway, where tankers have been deployed to deliver water, due to be shipped out later this week. Donegal County Council has also been forced to cut water supplies to thousands of householders as a result of the recent good weather, and further disruption is likely.
Rain showers which fell in the west yesterday evening will not be sufficient to replenish the main city reservoir at Tonabruckey in Galway, according to Galway City Council. Levels in Lough Corrib and the river are very low and Galway City Council has warned that pressure may be reduced in different parts of the city to try to conserve supplies.
Residents have been asked not to use hosepipes for watering lawns or washing cars, while in the Galway county area, water is being cut off during certain periods.
The Ahascragh public water scheme, which includes a number of group schemes, is being switched off from midnight to 7am daily.
On two of the Aran islands, Inis Mór and Inis Oírr, water supplies have been cut from 8pm to 8am and from 2pm to 6pm.
Seasonal visitors and Irish language students tend to put an extra strain on the island’s reservoirs, which are largely dependent on rainwater, but the council has indicated that it may search for more wells.
Inis Meáin has a desalination system which facilitates seawater use.
A Donegal County Council spokesman said that rainfall levels were down by more than 30 per cent on the same period last year, but daily demand for water was above normal.
“Restrictions on some water supplies are inevitable at this stage to maintain reserves for daytime use,” the spokesman said.
“The co-operation of every community is required if we are to avert widespread water shortages.”
Nightly disruptions are most likely to affect people living in the east of Co Donegal, notably around Ballybofey, Lifford, Raphoe and Greencastle.
Separately yesterday, Galway County Council said it had “not had sight of any documentation” in relation to the proposed review of its planning system by Minister for the Environment John Gormley.
The local authority was responding yesterday to the Minister’s announcement that Galway County Council would be one of six local authorities subjected to the review.
Green Party Senator Niall Ó Brolcháin said he welcomed the move.
“There are ongoing concerns about planning permission, quarries, flood plains and over-development in parts of the county, which has caused distress for many people.
“The lack of proper sewerage treatment facilities, often promised but not delivered, has also caused a lot of heartache for homeowners,” he said