Water Conservation Order for Cork extended until 30 September

Uisce Éireann has confirmed that the Water Conservation Order covering Cork will be extended until 23:59 on 30 September 2026, as water sources and public water supplies across the county remain under pressure and need more time to recover.

The current nationwide Order had been due to expire at 23:59 on Wednesday, 26 August 2026. Instead, it will stay in force in Cork and 12 other counties: Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Limerick, Meath, Offaly, Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford and Wicklow. The extension is subject to prevailing weather conditions and the availability of water for distribution.

The Order was first introduced on 24 July 2026 following a prolonged period of hot and dry weather, high water use and growing pressure on public water supplies. While increased rainfall and the public's conservation efforts have improved conditions in many parts of the country, supplies in parts of the east and south remain under pressure.

Water supplies across Cork continue to experience sustained pressure, with warm weather driving higher demand and reduced rainfall affecting local water availability. A number of smaller raw water impoundments across the county have seen significant reductions in storage levels over the summer. Supplies remain secure, but extending the Order will help protect available capacity and maintain resilience.

At Crookhaven, demand for treated water from the raw water impoundment rose sharply, peaking at 202,000 litres per day in August compared with an average daily demand of 60,000 litres in April.

Uisce Éireann is continuing to tanker water to support smaller supplies in parts of the country where source yields have been affected by dry conditions, which places further pressure on the system. In Cork, targeted tankering operations are continuing at Nohoval, Whitechurch, Reenascreena and Ardgehane to supplement local supplies and maintain continuity of service while treated water supplies remain under pressure.

Night-time restrictions also continue in parts of the county, which the utility says is essential to allow treated water reservoirs to recover and to secure daytime supply for homes, businesses and essential services. Those restrictions remain in place at Ballykenly (Johnstown) WTP, Cape Clear Island, Dunmahon WTP and Mitchelstown South WTP.

Customers are being asked to continue using only the water they need and to avoid non-essential water use, helping to conserve what is currently available and protect supplies for homes, businesses, farms, hospitals, vulnerable customers and essential services.

Niall O'Riordan, Operations Manager with Uisce Éireann:

"We recognise the effort that people have already made to conserve water, and we sincerely appreciate their continued support.

Although conditions have improved in many parts of the country, Cork's water sources and public water supplies need more time to recover. Extending the Water Conservation Order will help us protect the water that is available and reduce the risk of disruption to customers.

We are asking everyone to continue using only the water they need and to avoid non-essential use. Every drop saved will help protect local supplies and keep water available for essential daily needs.

Simple actions can make a real difference. Taking shorter showers, fixing dripping taps or leaking toilets, running washing machines and dishwashers only when full, and using a watering can instead of a hose will all help."

What the Order covers

The Order prohibits the use of water drawn through a hosepipe or similar equipment for watering a garden; cleaning a private motor vehicle; cleaning a private leisure boat; filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool, except where hand-held containers filled directly from a tap are used; filling or maintaining a domestic pond, excluding fish ponds; filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain, except where required for commercial purposes; and filling or replenishing an artificial pond, lake or similar feature.

Uisce Éireann is continuing to take operational measures to maintain supplies, including maximising water production, repairing leaks, moving water by tanker where necessary and managing the network to reduce the risk of outages.

Households can help by using a watering can rather than a hose or sprinkler, checking for dripping taps, leaking toilets and overflowing pipes, turning off the tap while brushing teeth, taking shorter showers, and running washing machines and dishwashers only when full.

Visible leaks on the public water network can be reported to Uisce Éireann on 1800 278 278 or through water.ie. Further conservation advice is available at water.ie/conservation.