Uisce Éireann has confirmed that it is extending its water conservation order, commonly known as the ‘hosepipe ban’, for 13 counties.

The order is extended to the end of September for the following 13 counties where Uisce Éireann said supplies need more time to recover: Carlow, Cork, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Limerick, Meath, Offaly, Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford, and Wicklow.

Head of water operations with Uisce Éireann, Margaret Attridge said the organisation recognises people’s effort and appreciates the continued support.

She added: “Every drop saved will help us protect local supplies and keep water available for essential daily needs.”

Uisce Éireann said it is continuing 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.

The order will be lifted from Wednesday night, August 26, in counties: Cavan, Clare, Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Leitrim, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Monaghan, Roscommon, Sligo, and Westmeath.

For those counties, the order will expire at 11:59p.m on Wednesday.

The ban was introduced on July 24 following a prolonged period of hot and dry weather, high water use, and increasing pressure on public water supplies.

Impact

According to Uisce Éireann, the decision to lift the ban for some counties "reflects the positive impact of public water conservation efforts and improved conditions in many areas".

It said: “In parts of the east and south, however, water sources and public water supplies remain under pressure and require continued protection.”

Uisce Éireann said that the extension will help conserve available water and protect supplies for homes, businesses, farms, hospitals, vulnerable customers and essential services.

Uisce Éireann will continue to monitor water sources, demand and the availability of water for distribution.  

‘Support’

Attridge thanked the public for the positive way they have responded to the water conservation order. 

She said: “We have received great support from the public for our water conservation appeal, which has helped reduce demand significantly in many areas.

“The improvement in conditions means we can now lift the order across many counties.”

She added that this was a “positive outcome”, reflecting the real difference people and businesses have made by reducing unnecessary water use.

Attridge said: “At the same time, supplies in parts of the east and south remain under pressure, and water sources in these areas will need more time to recover.

“For that reason, the order will remain in place in 13 counties.

“We are asking customers in these areas to continue using only the water they need and to avoid non-essential use," she added.