Uisce Éireann Extends Water Conservation Order Nationwide

Uisce Éireann has confirmed that its Water Conservation Order will be extended to all counties, including Cork and Cork City, from 00:01 on Friday 24 July until Wednesday 26 August 2026.

The extension builds on an existing Order already in place for Dublin, South Tipperary, and parts of Kildare, Meath, Wexford and Wicklow. It is being introduced to help protect public water supplies now and in the months ahead, for homes, businesses, farms, hospitals, vulnerable customers and essential services.

Uisce Éireann said the recent hot weather, expected to continue, combined with low rainfall, is driving exceptionally high demand and putting further pressure on water sources and treated drinking water supplies. The utility said it continues to take all measures to keep water flowing by maximising production, repairing leaks, tankering water and operating the network to minimise outages and protect supplies.

In recent weeks, Uisce Éireann introduced a number of measures in Cork to maintain and protect supplies, including enhanced leakage repair works, pressure management, and public water conservation campaigns, in an effort to reduce demand to sustainable levels.

Separately, night-time restrictions will be in place in a number of public water supply schemes, including areas supplied by the Abbeystrewery Reservoir in Skibbereen, from 11pm to 6am tonight and tomorrow night. Uisce Éireann has thanked customers across Cork for their continued conservation efforts and is urging those in affected areas to keep using water responsibly to help safeguard supplies.

Brian O'Leary, Regional Operations Manager with Uisce Éireann:

"We are asking everyone across Cork to use only what they need and to avoid any non-essential water use until conditions improve.

"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. I want to thank everyone who has taken steps to conserve water. This is making a difference, but pressures remain high and we are now asking people across the country to continue reducing non-essential use.

"Every drop counts. Continued support from the public will help reduce pressure on supplies and keep water available for essential daily needs."

The Order prohibits the use of a hosepipe or similar apparatus for activities such as watering a garden, cleaning a private motor vehicle, cleaning a private leisure boat, filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool, filling or maintaining a domestic pond (excluding fish ponds), and filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain, except where required for commercial purposes.

Uisce Éireann is also encouraging customers to take practical steps at home, such as taking shorter showers, fixing leaks and leaking toilets, and avoiding hosepipes or sprinklers in the garden. A garden hose or sprinkler can use more than the average family uses in a full day.

Night-time restrictions are currently in place on 53 of 700 water supplies, mainly in areas where local sources are under pressure.

Anyone who spots a leak on the public network, which may be visible in the dry conditions, is asked to contact Uisce Éireann on 1800 278 278. Further water conservation advice and the utility's online water calculator are available at water.ie/conservation.

Uisce Éireann said the Order may be extended further should the prevailing weather conditions and likely or actual serious deficiency of water available for distribution continue, or lifted early in specific areas depending on conditions.