NI Water issues call for public support to save water during extended dry weather
- Love Ballymena
- May 17
- 3 min read
As Northern Ireland enjoys an unusually warm spring, NI Water is urging residents to share water-saving tips with friends and family to help preserve essential water supplies.
With forecasts indicating a continued stretch of dry weather and no rainfall expected, NI Water is encouraging everyone to be more water-efficient, reduce waste, and use water wisely — especially outdoors.
Anna Killen, Education Officer at NI Water, said:
“As we enjoy this extended period of good weather, NI Water’s teams have been closely monitoring storage in our reservoirs and we can see the demand for water into the distribution network is inevitably increasing.
With the forecast showing the recent good weather is to continue with no rainfall, we will continue to closely monitor reservoir storage and consider if any measures need to be introduced so that we can continue to deliver for our customers.
“It’s important to note that water storage levels across Northern Ireland are currently in a reasonably healthy position but we also know it’s important to be proactive and let our customers know to use water wisely at this time.”
Rising Temperatures, Rising Demand
The recent sunny conditions have led to a noticeable increase in water usage, which Killen says is entirely predictable:
“While we all love to have fun in the sun, as the temperatures rise so too does the demand for water. It’s amazing to think that on an average day, each person uses around 170 litres of water, but this increases on a hot sunny day to over 200 litres. There are simple things we can all do that can make a huge difference to save water for when we need it most.”
Outdoor water use, in particular, sees a sharp rise in the heat.
“On hot days, outdoor water makes up to half of our daily water usage. For example, filling a 12ft swimming pool uses the same amount of water 500 people use for daily handwashing. So it’s always good to consider ways you can save on water usage outdoors such as using a watering can instead of a hose to water the garden or using a bucket of water to wash your car rather than a hose.”
Sprinklers, often used to keep gardens green, are among the biggest culprits for unnecessary water use.
“All this hot, dry weather may have our lawns looking a bit brown and it’s tempting to turn on the sprinkler, but a sprinkler can use as much as 1,000 litres of clean drinking water in a single hour – that’s more than a family of four would use in a whole day. Lawns are great survivors and with the next rain they will soon bounce back.”
Easy Ways to Save Water at Home
While staying hydrated in warm weather is essential, NI Water recommends a few simple home practices to minimise waste.
“It’s important to keep well hydrated and ensuring we are drinking enough water during this warm weather is vitally important. Topping up from the tap is a great way to do this but don’t be tempted to let the tap run while waiting for the water to get cold. Instead keep a jug of refreshing tap water in the fridge, cold water when you need it and less waste.”
Bathroom habits are also key to household water savings.
“As we start to feel the heat and head for that refreshing shower, it might be time to think about reducing the time you spend in the shower. Not only does hot water cost money, but by reducing our time in the shower by just 2 minutes you can save around 100 litres of water a week. Why not try the 4 minute shower challenge, put on your favourite 4 minute song and see if you can finish before the end or consider using a shower timer.”
NI Water’s Top Ten Water-Saving Tips
Boil only what you need – Avoid overfilling your kettle.
Turn off the tap – Brushing teeth with the tap running can waste 6 litres per minute.
Take a 4-minute shower – Use a timer or a favourite song.
Use a bowl to wash vegetables – Reuse the water for plants.
Run full loads – Only use dishwashers and washing machines when full.
Keep water in the fridge – Store cold tap water to avoid letting the tap run.
Fix dripping taps – Leaky taps can waste over 60 litres a week.
Water wisely – Use a watering can, not a hose.
Harvest rainwater – Install a waterbutt for garden use.
Get Water Fit – Visit www.getwaterfit.co.uk for tools, tips, and free water-saving items.
With temperatures soaring and reservoirs under pressure, NI Water is counting on the public to spread the word and take action. Whether it’s shaving a few minutes off your shower or skipping the sprinkler, small changes can make a significant difference.
For more advice on staying safe in the sun, visit nidirect.gov.uk.
