Hosepipe ban extended in three counties as Uisce Éireann urges people to conserve water

Uisce Éireann has confirmed that Water Conservations Orders (WCOs), commonly known as hosepipe bans have been extended in three counties around the country.

The three public water supplies will be extended for a further four weeks until October 13. The extension will apply to the public water supplies in Kells-Oldcastle in County Meath, Mullingar in County Westmeath and Milford in County Donegal.

The decision to extend those WCOs comes after continued monitoring which shows that water levels in the lakes supplying these areas remains critically low. 

Although there has been plenty of rainfall recently, it's the long-term effects of a dry autumn, winter and spring followed by the warmest summer on record which has left those sources significantly depleted. 

Uisce Éireann’s operational teams have worked intensively over the summer to maintain supply by repairing leaks, managing pressure in the system and tankering directly to reservoirs. 

These efforts along with the communities continued support for Uisce Éireann's conservation appeals have helped to stabilise the supply but the risk of water supply disruption remains high.  

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Uisce Éireann have also announced that the WCOs in place for Counties Tipperary, Cork, Waterford and Wexford lapse on September 16 and will not be extended. The decision comes after increased rainfall and stabilising demand for water in these areas have reduced the critical risk to their water sources. 

Uisce Éireann stressed that while WCOs may be lifted in some areas, it remains critically important that everybody continues to do their bit to conserve water. They outlined their best tips for the public to conserve water which include turning off the tap as they state brushing your teeth with the tap on can waste up to six litres of water per minute. 

They also advise to take showers rather than baths as the former uses half the amount of water. They do however highly recommend having shorter showers to conserve water as the average shower uses seven litres of water per minute.

Other water conservation measures include fully loading any appliances such as dishwashers or washing machines before using them, leaving the hose in the shed and washing cars with a bucket and sponge rather than a hose or power washer. 

Mairead Conlon, Asset Strategy Senior Manager at Uisce Éireann reflected on the measures. She said "We know the public has made a huge effort over the summer to reduce their water use, and we're very grateful for that but even where hosepipe bans are being lifted, it's important to use water safely". 

Conlon warns "The situation remains stark in several parts of the country following the warmest summer on record, and even though we are seeing a return to wetter, cooler weather, it will take several weeks or even months for those sources to recover".