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Hosepipe ban for six counties from Thursday as water supplies come under pressure

Uisce Eireann has confirmed a Water Conservation Order, commonly known as a hosepipe ban, will come into force from 12.01am on Thursday, July 16, and remain in place until 11.59pm on Wednesday, August 26

[Someone holding a hosepipe]

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Someone holding a hosepipe(Image: PA Wire)

Hundreds of thousands of households will be banned from using hosepipes from this week as Ireland's scorching weather continues to put water supplies under severe pressure.

Uisce Eireann has confirmed a Water Conservation Order, commonly known as a hosepipe ban, will come into force from 12.01am on Thursday, July 16, and remain in place until 11.59pm on Wednesday, August 26.

The restrictions will affect individuals across Dublin, south Tipperary and parts of Kildare, Meath, Wexford and Wicklow.

The utility said the ban is needed after weeks of exceptionally warm and dry weather sent water demand soaring, putting significant pressure on treatment plants, reservoirs and the wider water network.

Across the country, household water use is currently running at around 20 per cent above normal, driven largely by non-essential outdoor activities such as watering gardens, washing cars and filling paddling pools.

[Margaret Attridge Uisce Eireann]

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Margaret Attridge Uisce Eireann

In the Greater Dublin Area, which includes parts of Kildare, Meath and Wicklow, daily water demand recently reached 693 million litres. That is around 50 million litres higher than the average recorded so far this year.

Water supplies are also under strain in parts of Wexford and south Tipperary, where treatment plants are producing significantly more water each day than the average demand seen last year.

Under the Water Conservation Order, households and businesses will not be allowed to use garden hosepipes or water for other non-essential purposes while the restrictions remain in place.

Despite the ban only applying in certain areas, Uisce Eireann is urging people across Ireland to do their bit by cutting back on unnecessary water use.

Households, farms and businesses can help by hanging up the hose, putting the power washer away, reusing household water in the garden, checking for leaks and leaking toilets, taking shorter showers and using water only where it is needed.

Margaret Attridge, Head of Water Operations at Uisce Eireann, said protecting drinking water supplies for homes, hospitals, vulnerable people, farms, businesses and other essential services was the organisation's top priority.

She said the prolonged spell of hot and dry weather had driven water demand to exceptionally high levels and urged households, businesses and communities to reduce non-essential water use while the restrictions are in place.

Uisce Eireann said it has already stepped up leak repairs, pressure management and other measures to protect supplies, but warned the hosepipe ban is now necessary to ensure enough treated drinking water is available for essential needs.

The utility will continue monitoring water demand and weather conditions throughout the summer.

The restrictions could be lifted before August 26 if supplies recover, or extended if dry conditions continue.

Full details of the affected areas, including an interactive map, are available here.

Key tips to help conserve water

• Drop the hose: Use a watering can instead of a hose or sprinkler.
• Leak free: Check that your home is leak free. Check for running overflows and fix any dripping taps, cisterns or pipes.
• Dont let the tap run: Turning off the tap while brushing your teeth can save up to six litres of water per minute.
• Choose showers over baths: A seven-minute shower uses significantly less water than the average bath.
• Run full loads: Only use washing machines and dishwashers when fully loaded.
• Save on flushing: Consider using a cistern displacement device to reduce water use.

Water conservation tips for businesses

• Conduct a water audit to see where savings can be made.
• Appoint water stewards who will champion water conservation.
• Invest in water-efficient devices and appliances such as dual-flush toilets, mixer taps and low-flow showers.
• Raise awareness among customers and employees with water conservation notices and signage.

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