Major update for Irish households as hosepipe ban lifted two weeks early
Uisce Éireann has urged people to continue using water carefully despite the lifting of the restrictions
The hosepipe ban in place across 13 Irish counties has been lifted with immediate effect, two weeks earlier than originally planned.
Uisce Éireann confirmed on Wednesday that the remaining Water Conservation Order has now been lifted following increased rainfall and an improvement in water availability.
Restrictions had been due to remain in place until the end of September in Carlow, Cork, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Limerick, Meath, Offaly, Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford and Wicklow.
However, households in all 13 counties can now use hosepipes again after the restrictions were lifted with immediate effect on Wednesday, September 16.
The nationwide Water Conservation Order was introduced in July following a prolonged spell of hot and dry weather coupled with exceptionally high demand, which placed significant pressure on public water supplies.
Restrictions were lifted across 13 counties at the end of August as conditions improved, while the order was extended until September 30 in the remaining counties where supplies needed additional time to recover.
Uisce Éireann said the latest decision reflects increased rainfall and improved water availability, as well as the efforts made by households, businesses, farms and communities to cut their water use during the summer.
The utility has, however, urged people to continue using water carefully despite the lifting of the restrictions.
Uisce Éireann Asset Strategy Senior Manager Mairead Conlon thanked households and communities for their support, saying reduced non-essential water use had helped protect supplies for homes, farms, hospitals, vulnerable customers and essential services.
She said that while the Water Conservation Order was ending earlier than expected, people were still being encouraged to use water wisely and continue the conservation habits adopted during the summer.
Recent rainfall has improved the situation overall, but Uisce Éireann warned that the recovery has not been uniform.
Parts of the Greater Dublin Area, Wexford and South Tipperary are among those requiring more time for water sources to return to the levels normally expected at this time of year.
Continued careful water use in these areas will help protect local supplies and allow sources to recover further over the coming weeks, Uisce Éireann said.