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Water Conservation

We recognise that too much of the water we pump, treat and distribute each year is lost by leakage.  To improve this, a major Water Conservation Project is being undertaken, with the aim to reduce the current unacceptable  high level of water loss.  The project includes the metering of all non-domestic supplies. 

Follow this link to download Water Conservation Bye-Laws

A few Simple steps to reduce your water usage and costs:

1.      Check for leaks

• Outside
  • Is the attic overflow pipe dripping? Typically this is a small plastic pipe that protrudes about 150mm out from the eves or gable wall. If it is dripping or the ground below it is wet you should have your attic tank ball-valve serviced or replaced
  • Is the garden tap and hose connections running or leaking?
• Inside
  • Are there any dripping taps?
  • Is there still water running inside the toilet after cistern has filled? If the ball-valve is leaking it should be serviced or replaced

2.      Eliminating waste

• If you have urinals, install automated controls or turn off the supply outside business hours
• If you have a water softener, ask your supplier if the regeneration and backwash cycles could be reduced

 3.      Using your water meter to find leaks, waste and excess costs

• Most water meters are located in the footpath outside your premises. 
• If you want to read your meter, first you've got to open the lid. Do this by prizing the lid off with a screwdriver. It is important to replace the lid properly to ensure that the meter box remains watertight.
• Some meter boxes contain a plastic plug. This protects the meter from frost. Remove the plug if you wish to examine the meter. Don't forget to replace it when you are finished
• If an automatic meter reading device is attached to your meter that transmits your reading by radio signal. It must not be removed. The digits may be viewed by lifting the flap on the top of the unit.
• Your water bill has an 8 digit serial number. This is also stamped on your water meter under the reading digits.
• There is huge variety of boxes and meters, but in you should find a meter and stop valve, with similar features e.g. a numeric display of the volume of water used and a dial that spins or rotates when water is being used
• If the screen is fogged, you can twist the wiper arm to clear it
• The numbers to the left of the decimal (black) point represent cubic meters, the numbers to the right represent litres. You can calculated your daily consumption by taking a reading today and again at the same time tomorrow #

(Today’s reading) – (yesterday’s reading) = daily consumption

For example

today’s reading is (black digits)                =120 cubic meters

yesterday’s reading was (black digits)     =100 cubic meters

120 – 100 = 20 cubic meters

Check your last bill or see http://www.laois.ie/EnvironmentandWater/WaterServices/WaterCharges/ for the current water charges

• In the same way as your electricity or gas meter, you can get an indication of the rate of water consumption from the speed that the disk, dials or digits are turning
• CAUTION: water meter box lids can be a trip hazard, it is your responsibility to ensure that the you replace and secure the meter box lid correctly after reading your meter

 4.      How to check for leak outside or underground

• Run the kitchen tap to use some water
• Check to see that your water meter is spinning (see how to read your meter)
• Turn off the stop valve (normally located under the kitchen sink)
• If the meter stops as a result of turning off the stop valve under the sink then

If are a commercial water customer and there is a leak at your property that is recording high consumption at your meter you should repair the leak as soon as possible to reduce your costs.

If you have any queries or need assistance, please contact the Water Services Department by e-mail watermessages@laoiscoco.ie

Simple steps to reduce your water usage & costs (PDF Document - 246kb)