Most people use twice the amount of water they believe they do.
A survey commissioned by Irish Water shows that 56% of 1,000 adults surveyed last month underestimated their average daily personal water-usage by half.
Irish Water is continuing to urge people to conserve water. Its hose-pipe ban continues until the end of August.
And it has warned that despite recent rain, it may take several weeks, or even months, to replenish raw water levels in rivers, lakes, and groundwater sources.
However, 56% believe that the average person uses less than 50 litres of water per day.
The responses also show that one in five of those surveyed believe they use between 51 and 100 litres; 14% estimate that it’s between 101 and 200 litres, and just one in 10 believe it is more than 200 litres.
The research, which was conducted by Behaviour & Attitudes between July 11 and 19, also found that 65% of those surveyed are making a concerted effort to change their behaviour to conserve water.
Just 40% said they were using containers to catch and retain water for reuse in the garden; 65% have reduced watering or are not watering their garden at all, and 60% have had fewer or no car washes during the “drought”.
Irish Water’s corporate affairs manager, Kate Gannon, said that while conserving water is new for many people, it is important.
“The recent period of drought has shown that the demand on Ireland’s water supply can impact homes and businesses across the country,” said Ms Gannon.
“Irish Water wants to support people in their choices around their water use, beginning by showing people how much they actually use.
By Eoin English
Irish Examiner Reporter
