Ireland imposes six-week national hosepipe ban as NI Water urges savings

Ireland enacts six-week national hosepipe ban as NI Water urges urgent water-saving measures to protect supplies and prevent shortages.

Ireland imposes six-week national hosepipe ban as NI Water urges savings
Publish: 23.07.2026
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The Republic of Ireland has introduced a nationwide six-week Water Conservation Order, effective just after midnight on Friday until Wednesday 26 August, citing high demand and prolonged low rainfall, Uisce Éireann said.

Uisce Éireann said the WCO was first applied last week to greater Dublin and parts of Wexford, Wicklow, Meath, Kildare and south Tipperary and has now been extended across the country. The order bans use of hosepipes for watering gardens, cleaning cars or boats, and filling paddling pools, ponds or fountains.

NI Water said it is not planning a hosepipe ban. The company reported reservoir levels remain at a reasonable position for this time of year at sites including Spelga Dam in County Down, while urging customers to continue water-saving measures as demand stays higher than normal in warm weather.

Paul Bryce, NI Water’s head of water, said the company cannot take supply for granted and encouraged simple steps to reduce consumption to help maintain network resilience. The company also reminded the public that reservoirs can be cold, deep and dangerous during warm weather.

Liberal News Analysis: What Does This Development Mean?

The WCO reflects Uisce Éireann’s assessment of elevated demand and sustained low rainfall leading to a nationwide restriction on hosepipe use. NI Water, by contrast, reports reasonable reservoir levels and has not introduced a ban while continuing to ask customers to conserve water.

Quick Glance: What You Need to Know

  • The Republic of Ireland has a nationwide six-week Water Conservation Order from just after midnight on Friday until Wednesday 26 August.
  • The WCO bans hosepipe use for gardens, vehicle or boat cleaning, and filling paddling pools, ponds or fountains.
  • NI Water is not imposing a ban, saying reservoir levels are reasonable but urging continued water-saving actions.
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