Treated water reserves on Inis Mór have fallen to critically low levels, prompting Uisce Éireann to extend restrictions across the island.

Supply will be restricted from 5pm each day until 9am the following morning. The measures will apply to the entire island until further notice and are designed to protect daytime supplies of treated water.

Uisce Éireann said ongoing high demand linked to large visitor numbers, combined with limited recent rainfall, has left stocks under severe pressure in recent days.

Tony Kelly of Uisce Éireann has appealed to residents, businesses and tourists on the Aran Islands to limit usage to essential needs in the coming days. "Demand remains at an extremely high levels on Inis Mór, due to the high number of visitors currently on the island. Despite some rainfall over the last week, our reserves of treated water have not recovered sufficiently to meet this ongoing high demand," said Tony.

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"As a result, we are taking the step of extending the restrictions which have been in effect since last month, to come into effect at 5pm each evening and remain in place until 9am in the morning, until further notice.

"This is an essential measure to safeguard supplies and protect a continuous daytime supply of treated water for the island."

Night-time restrictions also remain in place on Inis Oírr between 11pm and 6am each night.

Uisce Éireann reminded customers that the nationwide Water Conservation Order remains in force to protect supplies of treated water.

Water-saving tips to help reduce demand:

- Check for leaks: fix dripping taps, cisterns or pipes and watch for running overflows.

- Turn off the tap when brushing teeth; a running tap can use up to six litres per minute, while brushing with the tap off uses about one litre.

- Choose showers over baths: an average bath uses around 80 litres, while a seven-minute shower uses about 49 litres.

- Avoid hoses and sprinklers; use a rose-head watering can to tend to plants.

- Install a water butt to collect rainwater for gardening or washing the yard.

- On farms, prevent overflowing drinking troughs by adjusting ball valves or replacing faulty parts.

- Run washing machines and dishwashers only when full; a typical wash uses approximately 65 litres and a dishwasher about 20 litres per cycle, saving water and energy.

- Reduce toilet flush volume by placing a suitable displacement device in the cistern (clear of moving parts).

Further water conservation guidance and a usage calculator are available in Uisce Éireann's Conservation section.