Maynard Cousley, Water Supply Senior Manager with NI Water, said Northern Ireland has experienced a winter and spring with “less than average rainfall”.
He said rain in mid-April has brought reservoir levels back up and the overall storage is now sitting at 88% capacity, but with the Met Office forecasting dry and reasonably warm weather for the next week “we cannot take our water supply for granted”.
“We must use our water supply wisely so we can conserve it for when we need it most,” Mr Cousley added.
Getty ImagesHosepipe ban
In the Republic of Ireland, where similar conditions are persisting, several areas are under hosepipe ban orders.
They include Mildford in Donegal, Mulligan in Westmeath, and Kells-Oldcastle in County Meath.
Uisce Éireann (Irish Water) has urged communities across Donegal to make every effort to conserve and reduce water usage.
Meanwhile residents on County Galway’s Inis Óirr are facing night time restrictions in order to protect the island’s water supply.