Uisce Éireann is extending its hosepipe ban nationwide, bringing every county under water restrictions since Friday night.
It comes as Ireland’s prolonged spell of hot, dry weather continues to put drinking water supplies under pressure, reports RTE.
The six-week Water Conservation Order, which was introduced last week for the Greater Dublin Area and parts of Wexford, Wicklow, Meath, Kildare and south Tipperary, will now apply across the country until 26 August.
It is one of the most extensive water conservation measures introduced by Uisce Éireann, with restrictions now applying nationwide as water sources come under increasing strain following an extended period of exceptionally warm and dry weather, reports RTE.
The order applies to all households and prohibits the use of hosepipes for activities such as washing cars, watering gardens and filling paddling pools.
The recent spell of hot weather, which is forecast to continue, combined with well-below average rainfall, has led to exceptionally high water demand, placing increasing pressure on both raw water sources and treated drinking water supplies, reports RTE.
Uisce Éireann said the restrictions are necessary to ensure there is sufficient water for homes, businesses, farms, hospitals, vulnerable customers and other essential services in the weeks ahead.
In addition to the hosepipe ban, the utility is urging people across the country to use only the water they need and avoid unnecessary water use until conditions improve, reports RTE.
It has highlighted a range of simple water-saving measures, including taking shorter showers, fixing leaking taps and toilets, and avoiding the use of hosepipes and garden sprinklers.
According to the company, using a garden hose or sprinkler for just one hour can consume more water than the average family uses in an entire day, reports RTE.
Uisce Éireann said the prolonged warm and dry conditions have left several groundwater sources under increasing stress, with reduced yields — or in some cases no yield at all — being recorded.
In some areas, including parts of the Greater Dublin Area and popular coastal visitor destinations, demand for water continues to place supplies under pressure, frequently exceeding local production capacity, reports RTE.
Nighttime water restrictions are also currently in place on 53 of the country’s approximately 700 public water supplies, mainly in areas where local sources remain under severe pressure.
Máiread Conlon, Asset Strategy Senior Manager with Uisce Éireann, said: “Early indications show that people are supporting the Water Conservation Order already in place, with water usage in the Greater Dublin Area beginning to decrease, reports RTE.
“I want to thank everyone who has taken steps to conserve water. This is making a difference, but pressures remain high and we are now asking people across the country to continue reducing non-essential use.
“Every drop counts. Continued support from the public will help reduce pressure on supplies and keep water available for essential daily needs,” reports RTE.
Met Éireann’s latest extended forecast suggests temperatures are likely to remain above average while rainfall is expected to remain below normal in the weeks ahead.
The nationwide Water Conservation Order comes into effect at 12.01am on Friday 24 July and will remain in force until Wednesday 26 August, reports RTE.
It prohibits the use of hosepipes or similar equipment for activities including watering gardens, washing private vehicles and leisure boats, filling domestic swimming or paddling pools, ornamental fountains and garden ponds, except where such use is required for commercial purposes, reports RTE.
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