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Rain brings drought
relief
12.07.10
by Caoimhinn Barr, Inishowen Independent
MORE rain has fallen here in the first few days of
July than in the entire month of June.
The latest figures released from Met Eireann figures
have shown that a measly 24.7mm of rain was recorded
at Malin Head for June while more than 30mm has
fallen so far in July.
The recent spell of wet weather, which comes after
an extremely dry first-half of the year, is good
news for the beleaguered local water authority.
“We have been faced with a prolonged spell of dry
weather; this year has been 35 per cent drier than
the same period in 2009. There has also been a 25
per cent increase in demand for water during a
number of particularly warm weeks in May and June,”
said Donegal County Council engineer, Con
McLaughlin.
“As a result, a number of different water systems
around the county reached critically low levels
recently. Thankfully, desperately needed rainfall in
the last week or so has eased the situation; it is
good news for the water board.” |
Last month, the local
authority urged people not to use the mains supply
for watering lawns or washing cars and yards, in a
bid to avoid shortages. People were also urged to
turn off taps at home, at work and on the farm.
McLaughlin said that the public had supported recent
Donegal County Council appeals to conserve water.
“Our appeals were definitely working as people
conserved water and reported leaks. We get our fair
share of rain in this country but we also waste a
lot of water. We have to remember that water is not
an endless resource,” he said.
Water shortages so early in the summer are unusual
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residents in Inishowen
are urged to continue to be vigilant about the
amount of water they use.
Stormy wet conditions at the weekend were not so
welcome for the folk of Carrowmenagh, where the
annual sports day was postponed until Sunday, July
18. |
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