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Uisce Éireann has imposed a six-week ban on hosepipe use across six parts of the country as rising demand strains supplies during an extended spell of hot weather. The measure seeks to protect drinking water in areas already reporting unusually high consumption.
Where and when the ban applies
The restriction covers Dublin, south Tipperary and portions of Kildare, Meath, Wexford and Wicklow. It takes effect shortly after midnight on Thursday and will remain in force until 26 August.
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National heat advisory and expected temperatures
Met Éireann has an all-Ireland advisory in place until Friday, describing a prolonged period of very warm or hot weather. Forecasters say daytime temperatures will generally be near 25°C, while nights are not expected to fall below about 15°C.
The agency also warned of the possibility of even higher readings in some areas, noting **maximum temperatures in excess of 27°C combined with overnight minimums above 15°C** could occur. Potential consequences include water-safety concerns, poor sleeping conditions, heat-related illness, increased wildfire risk and drought stress on agriculture and ecosystems.
Record readings and outlook from forecasters
Local meteorologists reported exceptional conditions over the weekend. Alan O’Reilly of Carlow Weather said a weather station in Kerry recorded 30.04°C — the warmest reading on record at that site — and posted that the hot spell looks set to persist.
O’Reilly added temperatures may ease slightly in the east because of onshore breezes, possibly falling from the high 20s or around 30°C to nearer 26–27°C. But he warned the warm pattern could continue for another seven to ten days.
Supply pressures and existing restrictions
Uisce Éireann officials have reported record-level usage of drinking water, particularly in the greater Dublin area. Stephen Burke, Regional Water Operations Manager for the Eastern Region, told RTÉ the utility had hoped to avoid bans but was increasingly concerned about supply levels in Dublin, Wicklow, Kildare and parts of Meath.
Burke also said other parts of the country are under pressure, listing Wexford, south Tipperary, parts of east Limerick, west Cork, west Kerry, north Donegal, mid-Galway and south Mayo among those affected.
What the public should do
Some local restrictions are already active in Cashel and in parts of Meath and Louth. The utility is urging customers to conserve water where possible and to monitor updates on Water.ie for the latest advice and any further measures.
