A six-week “hosepipe ban” will come into effects for large parts of the Republic of Ireland from Thursday.
Irish national water utility company Uisce Éireann confirmed that the water conservation order will be in place for Dublin and south Tipperary – as well as parts of Kildare, Meath, Wexford and Wicklow – until the end of August 26.
It said the order, commonly referred to as a “hosepipe ban”, is being introduced to “safeguard public water supplies for essential purposes following a period of exceptionally warm and dry weather”.
It said the spell of hot weather led to “significantly increased water use” across the affected areas and placed “sustained pressure” on water treatment plants, reservoirs and the wider network.
It said domestic customer water use is also around 20% above typical levels nationwide, driven largely by “non-essential outdoor use”.
The water conservation order prohibits the use of garden hosepipes and other non-essential uses of water by domestic users and commercial premises for non-commercial activities.
This includes watering a garden, cleaning a car with a hose, and filling a paddling pool.
Breaches of the order could result in a fine of up to 5,000 euro.
Outside of the affected areas, Uisce Éireann is appealing to all customers nationwide to reduce non-essential water use while supplies remain under pressure.
Meanwhile, a high temperature advisory is in place nationwide until Friday.
A status-yellow high temperature warning is also place for Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Galway, and Mayo until 7am on Wednesday.
