Uisce Éireann defends its hosepipe hotline to grass on neighbours
Uisce Éireann has defended the introduction of a hotline where people can report their neighbours for flouting the hosepipe ban.
It comes as the National Severe Weather and Flood Coordination Group met yesterday to discuss the rising impact of the heatwave on the country.
A Status Yellow High Temperature warning will come into effect at noon today and run until 6am on Friday, covering most of the country – Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath, Cavan, Donegal, Munster and Connacht.
Uisce Éireann has defended the introduction of a hotline where people can report their neighbours for flouting the hosepipe ban. Pic: Getty Images
Margaret Attridge, head of water operations at Uisce Éireann, said it is encouraging people to report incidents of ‘non-essential’ use of water.
A six-week hosepipe ban will be introduced from tomorrow for Dublin, parts of Kildare, Meath, Wicklow, South Tipperary and parts of Wexford.
‘We’re providing a hotline because we’re not asking people to confront people. We don’t want to cause any neighbourhood disputes here. People can contact us and we will follow up with individuals,’ she told Newstalk Breakfast.
A six-week hosepipe ban will be introduced from tomorrow for Dublin, parts of Kildare, Meath, Wicklow, South Tipperary and parts of Wexford. Pic: Shutterstock
Irish Water is appealing to people to check for leaks, and not to use a hosepipe to wash a car, water the lawn, fill a paddling pool or an ornate pond that does not include fish. Watering cans are allowed.
‘If people want to find out if their area is included in the hosepipe ban, in the water conservation order, there are maps available on our website,’ she said.
Ms Attridge warned that if water was wasted ‘it could get to the stage where the communities that these people live in are put on night-time restrictions’.
Uisce Éireann has defended introducing a hotline for reporting neighbours who flout the hosepipe ban. Pic: Getty Images
She said she did not want to see hospitals or care homes restricted in their use of water.
‘And that is why we are bringing in this hosepipe ban, the water conservation order, to get people who live in these communities to work with us so that we can all work together to protect water for essential purposes,’ she said.
The prolonged spell of very warm or hot weather will continue this week. Daytime maximum temperatures are expected to widely exceed 25 degrees, possibly reaching 30 degrees in places.
The UV Index is expected to be high to very high. Warm and humid nights will also continue.
Local Government Minister James Browne, said: ‘While many people understandably welcome this period of warm weather, it is also placing additional pressure on many people, services and on our local water supplies and we have to respond to that.
‘I would ask that the public look out for anyone who may need assistance and take into account the advice of the HSE, Met Éireann and your local emergency services and council updates in the coming days.
‘In particular, please take the time to check on the older people in your life and those who may be vulnerable or unwell. Given this country is not used to weather spells like this, we can’t take things for granted. From wearing sunscreen whenever you’re outside and staying hydrated, to being careful around the sea, our rivers and lakes, please take care.’
The Irish Coast Guard, Water Safety Ireland, Waterways Ireland and the RNLI are urging the public to stay safe, cautioning that most accidental drownings (65%) follow land-based activities such as walking, angling, cycling, or simply spending time near the water.
With clear sunny conditions and high temperatures forecast over the next number of days, the RSA urged people to use plenty of window washer fluid to clear flies/insects and excess dust from the road when driving.
An Orange Fire Danger Notice has also been issued by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and will be in place until midday on Friday.
The Department said people should not light fires in or near woodland, and should use only designated barbecue points where available.
They should thoroughly soak BBQ embers after use and make sure that they are extinguished completely.
In addition, people should not block forest entrances or roads when parking, and should report any illegal and suspicious activity to An Garda Síochána.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is also urging farmers, horse and dog owners to take necessary steps to protect their animals during the heatwave
