Latest news with #WaterConservationOrder
Irish Independent
13-06-2025
- Climate
- Irish Independent
Seven week extension to hosepipe ban on supply in Donegal
The order will now remain in effect for an additional seven weeks, until Monday, August 4, 2025. The order only applies to customers supplied by the public water supply in Milford, Kerrykeel, Ramelton, and not the rest of the county. The Water Conservation Order prohibits the use of garden hosepipes and other non-essential uses of water by domestic users and commercial premises for non-commercial activities. This measure is essential to safeguard water supplies for homes, businesses, and essential services. While recent weeks have brought cooler and wetter weather, the water levels at Lough Colmcille, which supplies water to the Milford area, remain under severe pressure. Water levels at Lough Colmcille remain lower than previously recorded at this time of year and it is expected, based on the typical trend for this time of year, that water levels will decrease for the summer period. It is considered that significant levels of rainfall over a prolonged period of time are required for this source to recover. Forecasts also indicate a likely return to warmer, drier weather from next week, which could further increase demand and place additional strain on an already stressed supply. Uisce Éireann's Water Network Operations Manager for Donegal, Damien O'Sullivan, said Uisce Éireann's top priority is to protect the water supply for use in homes, businesses and essential services. 'I'd like to thank the communities in Milford, Ramelton and Kerrykeel for adhering to the Water Conservation Order and urge them to continue to adhere to the order over the next seven weeks. "We appreciate too the efforts of the public in reporting leaks to us and continuing their efforts to conserve water. "Despite this collective effort and the recent rainfall in the area, Lough Colmcille remains under severe pressure and water levels in the lake remain lower than usual for this time of year. "This is due to significantly reduced rainfall over the past six months, combined with a noticeable increase in water demand in Milford over the past couple of years as a result of growth in the area,' said Mr O'Sullivan. While it may often feel like Ireland gets plenty of rain, the data shows the country experienced an unseasonably warm and dry autumn and winter. As a result, Lough Colmcille has not had its usual seasonal recharge, and is now in the summer months with lower-than-average water levels. Mr O'Sullivan continued, 'In response, we have increased our efforts in leakage detection, pipe repair, and overall network management. "We have taken a number of steps to reduce demand and we are continuing to supplement Milford from nearby supplies to allow for Lough Colmcille to replenish. "Due to this, there has been a 40% reduction in abstraction from Lough Colmcille since last October. "We have also deployed extra resources to finding and fixing critical leaks in the water network and conducted a public information campaign aimed at raising awareness of the importance of water conservation year-round,' said Mr O'Sullivan.
Scoop
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
ECan Backtracks On Te Waihora Leadership, Fish & Game Doubles Down On Harm
Press Release – Animal Justice Party At a public forum presentation to ECan on 26 March 2025, AJP raised urgent questions about both environmental and animal welfare impacts of duck shooting. The Animal Justice Party (AJP) is calling written responses from ECan and Fish & Game New Zealand on recreational duck shooting at Te Waihora (Lake Ellesmere) a clear failure of leadership. 'Te Waihora (Lake Ellesmere), is recognised as one of Aotearoa's most ecologically significant wetlands,' says Danette Wereta, General Secretary of AJP, 'It is governed by a national Water Conservation Order, which overlays all other management.' The Order identifies Te Waihora's habitat for wildlife as an outstanding amenity or intrinsic value warranting protection. Regional Councils are responsible for implementation of National Orders. At a public forum presentation to ECan on 26 March 2025, AJP raised urgent questions about both environmental and animal welfare impacts of duck shooting. 'On the day, the majority of Councillors showed genuine engagement and concern for the contradiction between ECan's wildlife habitat responsibilities to Te Waihora and the ongoing disturbance and killing of wildlife for recreation,' says Wereta. However, a letter to AJP from ECan Chair Craig Pauling after the meeting deflects responsibility to other agencies, specifically Fish & Game and the Department of Conservation (DOC). ECan's written response claims ECan holds no jurisdiction over protecting biodiversity, passing the issue to Fish & Game and DOC. Fish & Game's Game Bird Specialist, Matthew Garrick, says, 'Game bird hunting is specifically listed as an integral part of the future and is listed as an important aspect to connect the community to Te Waihora.' But is shooting really the kind of connection Te Waihora needs? Just because it used to happen doesn't mean it still should. With such strong bird life at the lake, shouldn't protection and care come before outdated bloodsport? 'Fish and Game's response highlights their primary interest in promoting hunting and fishing. That organisation's interest in protecting habitat is focused through the lens of protecting habitat for game species alone, when the Lake is home to more than 150 bird species' says Wereta, 'alongside the National Order, the Lake is covered by international conservation agreements like the Convention on Migratory Species.' Fish and Game cite the Animal Welfare Act's hunting exemption to justify harm, and claim a contribution to biodiversity protection while simultaneously enabling activities that traumatise and kill wildlife. 'The idea that gunfire, wounded birds, and habitat disruption can coexist with meaningful conservation is absurd,' says Wereta. Wereta considers Fish & Game's response also reveals a dangerous contradiction at the heart of Te Waihora's governance. 'The site is identified as both a biodiversity hotspot and a recreational killing ground, yet the organisations responsible are refusing to reconcile this conflict, each pointing to the other, while the damage continues.' ECan is a member of the Te Waihora Co-Governance Group, 'it has the primary role to protect the lake as a habitat for all wildlife. We are calling for an immediate reassessment of the lake's use, and a clear prohibition on recreational duck shooting,' says Wereta, 'this is a moment to lead, not retreat.' About the Animal Justice Party Aotearoa NZ: AJP was registered in August 2023. AJP is a political party dedicated to advocating for the rights, welfare, and protection of animals. Their mission is to create a society where animals are treated with respect, compassion, and consideration. Through active participation in the political landscape, they aim to drive policy changes that reflect their commitment to a more ethical and sustainable future.
The Irish Sun
13-06-2025
- Climate
- The Irish Sun
Hosepipe ban for thousands of Irish extended for 7 MORE weeks as exact towns slapped with order revealed
AS we come into summer, Uisce Eireann is pleading with households and business to be mindful of their use of water supplies facing major pressure. And homeowners in three rural towns have had their hosepipe ban extended for a further seven more weeks due to falling reservoir levels. 2 Water supplies remain under significant pressure across Ireland Credit: Alamy All of Ireland has seen lower than average Despite a small break in the last couple of weeks where heavy showers emerged briefly, it could take several weeks of sustained rainfall for affected water sources to recover to normal levels. But the latest forecast indicates that it will be mostly dry next week with sunny spells and just isolated showers. Uisce Eireann confirmed that a Water Conservation Order will remain in place for another seven weeks in Mullingar, Co READ MORE IRISH NEWS And the ban is now set to remain in place until after the August Bank Holiday. Officials said that another 21 supplies remain in drought status across the country. Uisce Eireann added that they are monitoring and managing these areas closely. MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN Margaret Attridge, Head of Water Operations at Uisce Éireann said: "Although we've seen some welcome rainfall, the long-term effects of a dry autumn, winter and spring are still being felt. "Some water sources have not recovered to sustainable levels, and so extending the water conservation order is necessary to protect these vulnerable supplies. "Nationally there are 21 locations across the country which remain in drought status across counties Westmeath, Donegal, Meath, Cork, Clare, Galway, Waterford, Wexford, Tipperary, Offaly and Laois." The Water Conservation Order was previously issued on May 6 and will remain in place until August 4. The Water Conservation Order prohibits the use of garden hosepipes and other non-essential uses of water by domestic users and commercial premises for non-commercial activities, for example watering gardens attached to a business premises. HOUSEPIPE BAN The temporary ban include the use of water drawn through a hosepipe or similar device for the purpose of: Watering a garden cleaning a private motor-vehicle using a domestic hosepipe cleaning a private leisure boat filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool (except when using hand-held containers filled directly from a tap) filling or maintaining a domestic pond (excluding fish ponds) filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain (with the exception of such use for commercial purposes) filling or replenishing an artificial pond, lake or similar application. This Order has been issued in a bid to safeguard these water supplies for essential purposes. This is necessary due to a sharp drop in water levels at the sources supplying these areas following a dryer-than-average autumn, winter and spring. Uisce Eireann are asking everyone to play their part in conserving water and reporting leaks to help alleviate the pressure on water supplies. There are tips for conserving water on but the key messages are to leave the hose and the pressure washer in the shed, reuse household water for the garden; and take shorter showers. They are calling on every- one to play a part so we can maintain supplies into the summer. 2 Homeowners in three rural towns will be hit with a hosepipe ban for seven more weeks due to falling reservoir levels Credit: Alamy Live News
Scoop
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
ECan Backtracks On Te Waihora Leadership, Fish & Game Doubles Down On Harm
The Animal Justice Party (AJP) is calling written responses from ECan and Fish & Game New Zealand on recreational duck shooting at Te Waihora (Lake Ellesmere) a clear failure of leadership. 'Te Waihora (Lake Ellesmere), is recognised as one of Aotearoa's most ecologically significant wetlands,' says Danette Wereta, General Secretary of AJP, 'It is governed by a national Water Conservation Order, which overlays all other management.' The Order identifies Te Waihora's habitat for wildlife as an outstanding amenity or intrinsic value warranting protection. Regional Councils are responsible for implementation of National Orders. At a public forum presentation to ECan on 26 March 2025, AJP raised urgent questions about both environmental and animal welfare impacts of duck shooting. 'On the day, the majority of Councillors showed genuine engagement and concern for the contradiction between ECan's wildlife habitat responsibilities to Te Waihora and the ongoing disturbance and killing of wildlife for recreation,' says Wereta. However, a letter to AJP from ECan Chair Craig Pauling after the meeting deflects responsibility to other agencies, specifically Fish & Game and the Department of Conservation (DOC). ECan's written response claims ECan holds no jurisdiction over protecting biodiversity, passing the issue to Fish & Game and DOC. Fish & Game's Game Bird Specialist, Matthew Garrick, says, 'Game bird hunting is specifically listed as an integral part of the future and is listed as an important aspect to connect the community to Te Waihora.' But is shooting really the kind of connection Te Waihora needs? Just because it used to happen doesn't mean it still should. With such strong bird life at the lake, shouldn't protection and care come before outdated bloodsport? 'Fish and Game's response highlights their primary interest in promoting hunting and fishing. That organisation's interest in protecting habitat is focused through the lens of protecting habitat for game species alone, when the Lake is home to more than 150 bird species' says Wereta, 'alongside the National Order, the Lake is covered by international conservation agreements like the Convention on Migratory Species.' Fish and Game cite the Animal Welfare Act's hunting exemption to justify harm, and claim a contribution to biodiversity protection while simultaneously enabling activities that traumatise and kill wildlife. 'The idea that gunfire, wounded birds, and habitat disruption can coexist with meaningful conservation is absurd,' says Wereta. Wereta considers Fish & Game's response also reveals a dangerous contradiction at the heart of Te Waihora's governance. 'The site is identified as both a biodiversity hotspot and a recreational killing ground, yet the organisations responsible are refusing to reconcile this conflict, each pointing to the other, while the damage continues.' ECan is a member of the Te Waihora Co-Governance Group, 'it has the primary role to protect the lake as a habitat for all wildlife. We are calling for an immediate reassessment of the lake's use, and a clear prohibition on recreational duck shooting,' says Wereta, 'this is a moment to lead, not retreat.' About the Animal Justice Party Aotearoa NZ: AJP was registered in August 2023. AJP is a political party dedicated to advocating for the rights, welfare, and protection of animals. Their mission is to create a society where animals are treated with respect, compassion, and consideration. Through active participation in the political landscape, they aim to drive policy changes that reflect their commitment to a more ethical and sustainable future.
Scoop
28-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
Land And Freshwater Plan Change Refocused
Press Release – Tasman District Council A separate plan change PC87 will address priority issues for land activities in Tasman, targeting recontouring and contaminated soil management. Ongoing delays and uncertainty with national freshwater regulation have been challenging for the Council and a decision was made on 9 May to pause the Land and Freshwater Plan Change (PC84) until clear Government direction and new legislation is received. However, Council has obligations under the Water Conservation Order (WCO) for Te Waikoropupū Springs and aquifer, as well as other priority issues to address that cannot wait. As a result, PC84 will be refocused on freshwater protections to support the WCO. This change will put in place policy and rules to manage water and land use activities, and their associated discharges, in the recharge area for the Wharepapa Arthur Marble Aquifer to help protect the flows and water quality at the Springs. It will also create a nutrient management framework for farming and forestry in the recharge area to help achieve nitrate reduction at the Springs. A separate plan change PC87 will address priority issues for land activities in Tasman, targeting recontouring and contaminated soil management. We are working to get both plan changes notified this year before the Local Government elections to avoid further delay. Once the plan changes are notified, community members will have the chance to share their views and participate in the process by making formal submissions. Further information on the WCO and workstreams to support protection of the Springs is available on Council's website, as well as further information on the PC84 and PC87 processes.
