Irish water has confirmed that last month's hosepipe ban and water conservation order has been lifted.
In a statement issued on Wednesday afternoon, the agency said: "Following recent heavy rainfall and improving river and ground water conditions Irish Water has lifted the Water Conservation Order, more commonly known as the hosepipe ban that was put in place with effect from 9 June."
The original ban was issued in a bid to safeguard water supplies for essential purposes, in particular water needed for sanitation purposes during the Covid-19 crisis. However, Ireland has been battered by unseasonably wet weather for the past several weeks, leading to today's change in direction.
Irish Water say that when the order was first made, 27 of Irish Water's drinking water schemes were in drought, with a further 50 at risk.
Currently, 17 schemes remain in drought and a further 61 are at risk. Irish Water say that "while the overall numbers are trending downwards, the situation is not uniform across the country and the recovery of some sources is very fragile."
Commenting on the lifting of ban, Managing Director of Irish Water Niall Gleeson said: "Irish Water is continuing to monitor the affected water sources as their recovery is fragile and subject to change. We will continue to liaise with Met Eireann, the OPW, the EPA and other key stakeholders to discuss the impact of weather on our sources.
"Should we enter a spell of prolonged warm and dry weather, and if the sources go into drought again, we many need to reconsider and re-impose a Water Conservation Order. Safeguarding the water supply for homes and communities across the country is a critical priority for us.”
"It is really important that members of the public develop good household habits at this time and conserve water, regardless of rainfall. Any non-essential use of water should be discouraged, whether we are in a drought or not."
