NRN Publish Water Conservation Study

For generations, the value of water was underappreciated in Irish society. Ireland has a temperate climate with relatively high levels of rainfall so there is an assumption made that water in Ireland is an infinite resource. However, over the past number of years, this position has been brought into question. The impact of climate change and with the changes in demographics, Irish society has begun to realise that water is a resource that must be protected. Over 60% of the Irish population now live in urban areas and it has become a regular occurrence to have water restrictions in these areas.

The proposed introduction of water metering for domestic usage from 2014 onwards indicates that there is a clear shift in national policy towards water conservation.  However, this change in sentiment has not yet manifested itself in the general farming population. Given that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Food Harvest 2020 report targeted a 50% rise in agricultural output by the year 2020, it is alarming that the farming population is not more actively conscious of water conservation. Farming as an industry is extremely water intensive. Water conservation through measures such as rainwater harvesting could greatly reduce its dependency on traditional water supplies.

This case study undertaken on behalf of the National Rural Network documents the actions undertaken on three farms to address water efficiency, presents the lessons from these farms and makes suggestions for how farmers could be encouraged to improve the water efficiency on Irish farms. [Read more ….]