Urgent water conservation message from South Dublin County Council.

South Dublin County Council is calling on the public, businesses, schools and everybody in the community to conserve water. This is as a result of water levels reaching a critically low level and an all-time high demand level.
Due to the adverse weather conditions the County has recently experienced there has been an increase in broken water mains and reduced water pressures. As the thaw continues further damage and breakages to the water mains may occur which may result in an increased loss of water.

In order to assist South Dublin County Council to continue meeting the current high levels of water demand we would ask people to conserve water and take the following measures:

· Do not leave taps running

· Do not store water

· Only flush the toilet when required to dispose of solid organic body waste

· Report any location where water is running or rising to SDCC General Emergency Number 01-4574907

· Only use water when necessary and in the quantities necessary (see below for conservation tips)

South Dublin County Council will be reducing pressures throughout the system in order to conserve supplies. We will try to maintain pressures during peak demand periods but will reduce pressures at other times. Localised temporary disruptions to supply may be experienced by consumers in all areas. While every effort will be made to maintain supplies at periods of peak demand this may not always be possible.

All areas throughout the County are at risk of reduced pressures with the higher areas having an increased risk of loss of supply. We regret any inconvenience caused by these restrictions and will do everything possible to minimise their scale and duration.

South Dublin County Council is monitoring the water supply situation on an ongoing basis and will provide regular updates on its website www.sdcc.ie

Water Conservation

Conservation is essential. Water supply could be restored relatively quickly if the demand was reduced.

Please Conserve water by:

* Do not leave taps running in your house while carrying out normal tasks
* Check for leaks and repair dripping taps, cistern or pipes. If a leak is seen in a public place, report it to the Council
* Only run dishwashers and washing machines when full * Use a basin when washing fruit and vegetables
* Reduce time in shower and try to avoid having a bath
* Know how to turn off water supply in the event of a pipe burst
* Fill the kettle with enough water for your needs.

For further information see www.taptips.ie