The hosepipe in place for 13 counties has been lifted, two weeks earlier than originally planned.
The Water Conservation Order was introduced nationwide in July, amid a prolonged period of dry weather and exceptionally high demand. It was originally in place for counties Carlow, Cork, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Limerick, Meath, Offaly, Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford and Wicklow, initially due to run until the end of this month.
Now, Uisce Éireann have said that the decision to pull the ban two weeks early, reflects "an increase in rainfall and water availability alongside the extraordinary efforts made by households, businesses, farms and communities across Ireland to reduce water use".
They added that these efforts "helped to protect local water supplies during one of the hottest summers and driest July on record".
Speaking about this, Mairéad Conlon, Uisce Éireann Asset Strategy Manager, paid homage to all households for their support during this time.
"By cutting back on non-essential water use, people helped protect local supplies and maintain drinking water for the homes, farms, hospitals, vulnerable customers, and essential services that rely on it every day", she said. "While the Water Conservation Order is ending earlier than planned, we are encouraging everyone to continue using water wisely".
Ms Conlon said that the rainfall seen in recent weeks has "improved the overall picture", but added that some areas including parts of Greater Dublin, Wexford and South Tipperary "require more time to return to the levels you would usually see at this time of year".
"Continued careful use of water will help protect these local sources and support their recovery in the weeks ahead", she said.
Ms Conlon went on to call lifting the hosepipe ban as "a fortunate position".
She explained that key factors for lifting this ban earlier were the increased heavy rainfall over the last two weeks, along with the 7% decrease in demand nationwide, compared to where it was at the peak of the summer, and that the above average rainfall was being predicted for the coming months.
She went on to thank all who worked to conserve water and protect supplied during the dry summer, as well as adding that water is "precious" and called on customers to continue to keep their eye on their water use in the future.
