Hosepipe ban could be extended as water supplies remain under pressure

Hosepipe ban extended in 13 counties as east and south face continued water pressure

A nationwide hosepipe ban will be lifted in many parts of Ireland this week, but residents in 13 counties across Munster and Leinster will face restrictions until the end of September, Uisce Éireann has confirmed.

The water conservation order, which came into effect on 24 July following a prolonged period of hot and dry weather, was due to expire at 23:59 on Wednesday, 26 August. However, Uisce Éireann announced that it will be extended to September 30th in Carlow, Cork, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Limerick, Meath, Offaly, Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford and Wicklow.

"Uisce Éireann is asking customers in these 13 counties to continue avoiding non-essential water use," the utility said in a statement. "The extension will help conserve available water and protect supplies for homes, businesses, farms, hospitals, vulnerable customers and essential services."

Mixed picture across the country

For the rest of the State — Cavan, Clare, Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Leitrim, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Monaghan, Roscommon, Sligo and Westmeath — the ban will be lifted from midnight on Wednesday. This follows "an improvement in the availability of water for supply and increased rainfall," according to Uisce Éireann.

The decision reflects "the positive impact of public water conservation efforts and improved conditions in many areas," the utility said. However, it added that in parts of the east and south, "water sources and public water supplies remain under pressure and require continued protection."

Margaret Attridge, Uisce Éireann's head of water operations, thanked the public for their support, saying the collective efforts of communities had "made a real difference in protecting our essential supplies." But she noted that supplies in parts of the east and south still need more time to recover.

Operational measures continue

The utility said it will continue to take operational measures to maintain supplies, including "maximising water production, repairing leaks, moving water by tanker where necessary and managing the network to reduce the risk of outages."

Conditions have been uneven across the country, with some eastern and southern areas receiving limited rain since the beginning of August, while other parts have seen improved water levels following recent rainfall. Uisce Éireann said overall raw water storage levels in the Greater Dublin Area remain robust, but warned that prolonged periods of below-average rainfall can increase pressure on supplies.

Restrictions and enforcement

Under the ban, households and businesses in affected counties are prohibited from using a hosepipe for activities such as watering a garden, cleaning a private motor vehicle, filling a swimming or paddling pool, or maintaining an ornamental fountain. Exceptions apply for hand-held containers filled directly from a tap for pools, and fish ponds are excluded from pond-related restrictions.

The original order was introduced on 24 July following hot and dry weather, high water use and increasing pressure on public water supplies. Uisce Éireann will continue to monitor water sources, demand and availability as the extended order runs through September.