A month-long water conservation order for the whole country will come into effect first thing on Friday morning (July 24).

This 'yellow alert' conservation order - also known as a hosepipe ban - will remain in effect until August 26, according to Uisce Éireann.

A water conservation order is only introduced if absolutely necessary, the regulator said.

Water conservation orders encourage people to only use water for essential purposes, in areas where there is a serious deficiency of water available for distribution.

Conserving and reducing water consumption in these circumstances is "critical to ensure continuity of supply", Uisce Éireann said.

The regulator's technical report on this latest water conservation order noted that parts of the southeast are experiencing near-agricultural drought conditions.

Agricultural areas are cited as areas of high water demand at present, along with popular tourist destinations and coastal towns.

The hosepipe ban prohibits the use of a hosepipe or similar apparatus in certain scenarios, including watering gardens; cleaning private motor vehicles; and filling ponds, fountains or similar water features.

The period of effect of the order, from this Friday to August 26, is subject to the potential necessity for a further period of prohibition or restriction to be extended, depending on prevailing weather conditions.

The order may be lifted before the specified period if possible, having regard to the prevailing weather conditions and the availability of water for distribution.

It may be necessary to extend the specified period of time and to other water users, by way of additional order, should the prevailing conditions persist.

A person who contravenes a water conservation order commits an offence under the Water Services Act 2007, and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €5,000.

Group water schemes

The prolonged spell of warm weather has also prompted the national body for community-owned local water schemes to call on people living in rural areas to conserve water.

The National Federation of Group Water Schemes (NFGWS) said it is encouraging group water scheme members and rural households across Ireland to "take important steps" to reduce water usage.

The body said that the current prolonged dry spell can place significant pressure on drinking water supplies.

Livestock particularly can require "substantially higher volumes" of drinking water during periods of heat stress, placing additional pressure on community water supplies, the organisation said.