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Well-drilling contractors report a spike in enquires as a result of the dry spell, particularly in eastern counties where rainfall has been lowest in recent weeks. Calls are being driven by fears that farm wells will run low or that mains water will be rationed, depending on the supply on the farm.
Co Kildare-based Dempsey Well Drilling said they are getting enquiries from farmers already using wells and others using mains supply.
“Not many deep wells are going dry yet – that won’t happen until around September,” a spokesperson said. “But farmers are looking for greater security of supply.”
A contractor in the northwest said his firm had received a number of enquiries from smaller dairy farmers who were using shallow wells which were now starting to run dry. “These farmers need large volumes of water for their cows,” he said.
The cost of a new well varies widely from site to site and depends on the depth bored and the nature of the bedrock. A rough rule of thumb is that a well bored to 200ft will cost about €5,000 including fitting of a submersible pump.
To keep out contamination, new bores are lined with steel for the top 10m to 15m, grouted in. Some wells are then plastic lined to the bottom to protect the pump.
The ICMSA said that while there is no need “just yet” for alarm bells to be ringing at national level, it is hugely important that Irish Water and other responsible bodies to communicate early and frequently with people in the event of there being water shortages or any limitation of supplies.
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