The housepipe ban to be extended

​The ban already took effect last week and is currently in place for Dublin, south Tipperary and parts of Kildare, Meath, Wexford and Wicklow.

​Now the order will take effect on all counties “at 00:01 on Friday, 24th July 2026 and will cease to have effect at 23:59 on Wednesday, 26th August 2026, subject to the potential necessity for a further period of prohibition and / or restriction to be extended, depending on prevailing weather conditions”, according to Uisce Éireann.

However, it could also be lifted early if the situation improves.

The decision was driven by Met Éireann’s forecast. 

Uisce Éireann describes “a number of water supply schemes across the country are experiencing water shortages and reduced pressure where there are low raw water sources or reservoir levels”

​For the last few weeks, the utility already reported that the domestic customer water use is around 20% above normal levels, assumed due to the hot summer weather and proliferation of data centres around the country.

​Despite not receiving many calls, Uisce Éireann insists that the public call its customer care team if they see anyone breaking the ban and misusing water.

​Mairéad Conlon, asset strategy senior manager with Uisce Éireann, said: “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.

This is making a difference, but pressures remain high, and we are now asking people across the country to continue reducing non-essential use.”

The ban prohibits the use of non-essential water, including garden hosepipes, cleaning a car and filling a paddling pool, among other things. 

Breaching the ban can result in serious penalties, with court fines reaching up to €5,000.

Warm temperatures are expected to continue through this week, reaching up to 25 degrees on Friday, but cooling down a bit as the week goes by.

Early next week, conditions will experience a noticeable change, with rain and showers.