People asked to conserve water as Lough Owel water levels drop

Uisce Éireann say that they are continuing to monitor water levels in Lough Owel and have urged households and businesses to "conserve water where possible".

Last week, for the first time in a number of years, the diving boards at Portnashangan were closed by Westmeath County Council due to the low water level in the lake, which provides water to the greater Mullingar area.

Responding to a query from the Westmeath Examiner, Uisce Éireann issued this statement: As part of Uisce Éireann's water resource management practices, lake levels, water supply demand and water supply production are all monitored closely to ensure a balance is achieved whilst providing our customers with the highest quality drinking water.

Uisce Éireann continues to closely monitor the water levels of Lough Owel which supplies water to the Portloman Water Treatment plant serving customers in Mullingar and surrounds. Water levels in Lough Owel are low due to limited rainfall over the last number of months and unseasonably warm and dry weather over Autumn.

We would ask customers served by the Mullingar Regional water supply, which includes Mullingar Town and environs, Ballynacarrigy, Moyvore, Ballymore, Moate, Rathowen, Streete, Rathconrath, Killucan, Coralstown, Kinnegad, Milltownpass, Tyrrellspass, Kilbeggan, Ballinagore, Gaybrook and Horseleap, to be mindful of their water usage and to make all efforts to conserve water where possible.

Helpful information on water conservation can be found on our website.