Uisce Éireann has announced that its Water Conservation Order will be extended to all counties from 12.01am on Friday, 24 July, until Wednesday, 26 August 2026.
The move expands the existing hosepipe ban already in place across Dublin, South Tipperary and parts of Kildare, Meath, Wexford and Wicklow.
The nationwide extension is aimed at protecting public water supplies for homes, businesses, farms, hospitals, vulnerable customers and other essential services as hot weather and low rainfall continue to put pressure on supplies across the country.
According to Uisce Éireann, the combination of prolonged dry weather and exceptionally high demand has placed increasing strain on raw water sources and treated drinking water supplies. The utility says it is continuing to maximise water production, repair leaks, tanker water where needed and manage the network to minimise outages.
The Order now applies to all households served by public water supplies. Met Éireann's extended forecast indicates temperatures are expected to remain above average, while rainfall is forecast to stay below average in the coming weeks. Several groundwater sources are already showing signs of stress, while areas including parts of the Greater Dublin Area and popular coastal destinations continue to experience particularly high demand.
Night-time water restrictions also remain in place on 53 of the country's 700 water supplies, mainly in areas where local sources are under the greatest pressure.
Under the Water Conservation Order, the use of a hosepipe or similar equipment is prohibited for activities including watering gardens, washing private cars or leisure boats, filling or topping up domestic swimming or paddling pools, filling ornamental fountains and maintaining domestic ponds, except where required for commercial purposes.
Máiréad Conlon, Asset Strategy Senior Manager with Uisce Éireann, said:
"We are asking everyone to use only what they need and to avoid any non-essential water use until conditions improve.
"Early indications show that people are supporting the Water Conservation Order already in place, with water usage in the Greater Dublin Area beginning to decrease. I want to thank everyone who has taken steps to conserve water. This is making a difference, but pressures remain high and we are now asking people across the country to continue reducing non-essential use.
"Every drop counts. Continued support from the public will help reduce pressure on supplies and keep water available for essential daily needs."
The utility is encouraging customers to continue taking simple water-saving measures at home, including taking shorter showers, fixing leaking taps and toilets, and avoiding the use of hosepipes or garden sprinklers. It says using a garden hose or sprinkler for just one hour can use more water than the average family consumes in an entire day.
Members of the public are also being asked to report any visible leaks on the public water network, particularly during the current dry conditions, while further water conservation advice is available from Uisce Éireann.
