Public must pay up or put up with water shortages

The country is basking in a prolonged heatwave – but one of the few downsides is the impending shortage of water.

The levels in the rivers and lakes which supply Irish Water’s treatment plants are dropping, while water usage is increasing.

There are problems in Athlone, Mullingar, parts of Offaly, Longford and Kilkenny, and parts of Donegal and Galway. It could become a bigger issue if farmers cannot get the water supplies they ...