Yesterday's
Irish Times reported that the Minister for the Environment had signed new regulations dealing with the conservation of water. The new regulations under
Section 56 of the Act give new powers to authorities to regulate the conservation of water by issuing orders prohibiting hosing gardens, car washing, irrigation of crops, etc in instances of water shortages. In the case of non compliance on the spot fines up to 5000 Euros may be imposed, as well as arrest without warrant by a member of the Gardai You have to wonder why these regulations are being brought in now.
The reason is probably related to the fact that over the next decades Ireland will face water shortages triggered by global warming. According the a
report commissioned by the EPA, rainfall predictions by mid-century in Ireland are as follows:
"Overall increases of 11% in precipitation are predicted for the winter months of December–February. The greatest increases are suggested for the north-west, where increases of approximately 20% are suggested by mid-century. Little change is indicated for the east coast and in theeastern part of the Central Plain."
So we can expect little change in winter rainfall...however the report goes on:
"Marked decreases in rainfall during the summer and early autumn months across eastern and central Ireland are predicted. Nationally, these are of the order of 25% with decreases of over 40% in some parts of the east."
In summary the report, the only one to date to make a detailed regional assessment, suggests a decrease of up to 40% rainfall in the summer months and no increase of rainfall in the winter months. The implications for County Louth are obvious - we are likely to face droughts and shortages of water during the summer months over the coming decades.
