Sharp increases in water consumption in Vilnius District and Kaunas have led to supply disruptions as Lithuania is suffering a spell of drought.
According to Vilnius District Mayor Robert Duchnevič, the dry weather is increasing the consumption of cold water and the problem needs to be solved promptly.
“Water suppliers report that in Vilnius District, as in the rest of Lithuania, water supply is not disrupted, pumping equipment is working at full capacity, and all technical possibilities have been used to increase water pressure. However, due to the increased demand for irrigation during peak hours, there’s low pressure in drinking water supply,” the mayor said in a statement on Thursday.
He noted that the municipality was taking steps to resolve the problem.
“We ask the residents to be understanding until things are sorted out and to limit unnecessary cold water consumption during peak hours as far as possible,” the statement said.
Vilniaus Vandenys, the city’s municipal water company, told BNS that consumption is up around 10 percent, but this does not affect water supply in Vilnius.
According to the company’s spokeswoman Jolita Orentaitė, residents of the city of Vilnius may experience momentary drops in pressure during peak hours.
Similar disruptions have been reported in Kaunas, according to Kauno Vandenys. Water consumption is up several-fold in some places, it said, which has led to increases in water turbidity. Kaunas residents have been asked to water their gardens sparingly, and to do so during off-peak hours.
The company noted that there were no water shortages.
Due to the continuing drought, an extreme situation has been declared in several municipalities.
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