Well, well, well…
At present, there are water shortages in 14 counties as the heatwave continues to impact on thousands of people across the country.
As stated by Irish Water: “The unprecedented hot weather means we’re seeing a huge increase in water consumption across Ireland. Demand has risen to critical levels and we are assessing and monitoring water supplies nationwide on a daily basis.”
Bearing this in mind, as of today (Friday, 6 July), the hosepipe ban has been extended to the whole country and anyone that’s found to be in breach of these regulations can be fined or arrested – you can read all about that here.
On that note, the Irish public is being asked to conserve water and Irish Water have stated that the following law has been introduced.
Here it is, word-for-word.
Water Conservation Order
The prohibited uses are as follows:
Use of water drawn through a hosepipe or similar apparatus for the purpose:
- watering a garden
- cleaning a private motor-vehicle using a domestic hosepipe
- cleaning a private leisure boat
- filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool (except when using hand held containers filled directly from a tap)
- filling or maintaining a domestic pond (excluding fish ponds)
- filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain (with the exception of such use for commercial purposes)
- filling or replenishing an artificial pond, lake or similar application
Despite all of the above, JOE reader Killian Murphy sent us in a picture of an Irish Water van getting washed at NCW in Limerick,
In the interest of fairness, as stated by the regulations above, it’s highly unlikely that a ‘domestic’ hosepipe was used to clean the van and we’re assuming that this vehicle is not a ‘private motor-vehicle’ – as stated in the law.
This being said, we couldn’t help but laugh at the irony.
Very, very cheeky.
Thanks to Killian Murphy for sending this in. Got a story for JOE? Fill out our online form here.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
