Nationwide hosepipe ban from Friday as Uisce Éireann says supplies coming under pressure  

A hosepipe ban for the entire country is set to come into effect from Friday and will remain in place until the end of August, Uisce Éireann has announced.

The water conservation order currently in place for Dublin, South Tipperary and parts of Kildare, Meath, Wexford and Wicklow, will be extended to cover all counties from midnight on Friday until Wednesday, August 24. 

The recent hot weather, which is predicted to continue, combined with low rainfall, is driving exceptionally high demand and intensifying pressure on water sources and treated drinking water supplies.

Uisce Éireann said the nationwide extension is being introduced to help protect public water supplies now and in the months ahead for homes, businesses, farms, hospitals, vulnerable customers and essential services.

The prohibited uses under the order are as follows: 

• Use of water drawn through a hosepipe or similar apparatus for watering a garden.
• Cleaning a private motor vehicle using a domestic hosepipe.
• Cleaning a private leisure boat.
• Filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool, except when using hand-held containers filled directly from a tap.
• Filling or maintaining a domestic pond, excluding fish ponds.
• Filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain, except for commercial purposes.
• Filling or replenishing an artificial pond, lake or similar application.

The nationwide order comes as Met Éireann’s extended range forecast indicates that temperatures are expected to remain above average and rainfall below average in the period ahead.

Several groundwater sources are now showing signs of stress, with reduced or no yields being experienced in a number of areas.

"Extending the water conservation order nationwide will support a reduction in non-essential use, ease pressure on water sources and safeguard supplies for essential purposes," said an Uisce Éireann spokesperson.  

They added that the utility company will continue to take all measures to keep water flowing by maximising production, repairing leaks, tankering water and operating the network to minimise outages and protect supplies.

Mairead Conlon, the company’s asset strategy manager, said: “We are asking everyone to use only what they need and to avoid any non-essential water use until conditions improve.

“Every drop counts. Continued support from the public will help reduce pressure on supplies and keep water available for essential daily needs.”