Hosepipe Bans Extended for Four Weeks Amid Water Crisis

UPDATE: Uisce Éireann has just announced that hosepipe bans will be extended for an additional four weeks in parts of Meath, Westmeath, and Donegal, following the hottest summer on record. The bans, affecting regions in Kells, Mullingar, and Milford, will remain in place until October 13, 2025, despite recent rainfall across the country.

The authority confirmed that the ban on using hosepipes for activities such as washing cars and watering gardens is critical due to critically low water levels in the lakes supplying these areas. A spokesperson stated, “Despite recent rainfall, the long-term effects of a dry autumn, winter, and spring—followed by the warmest summer on record—have left these sources significantly depleted.”

The lakes serving Kells, Mullingar, and Milford are particularly vulnerable, fed by underground springs with small catchments that take much longer to recharge, meaning recovery will be slow even with improved weather conditions.

Throughout the summer, Uisce Éireann has engaged in extensive efforts to manage water supply, including repairing leaks and transporting water by tankers to reservoirs. The spokesperson indicated that while these measures, along with community conservation efforts, have stabilized supply, the risk of disruption remains alarmingly high.

Mairéad Conlon, asset strategy senior manager at Uisce Éireann, emphasized the importance of continued water conservation, stating, “Even where hosepipe bans are being lifted, it’s crucial that people continue to use water wisely. The situation remains stark in several parts of the country, and recovery of water sources will take several weeks or even months.”

In contrast, water conservation orders currently affecting counties Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford, and Cork will lapse on September 16, 2025, as increased rainfall and stabilizing demand have alleviated the critical risk to these water sources.

As communities brace for an extended period of restrictions, residents are urged to take these developments seriously. Information on water conservation methods and usage calculators is available through Uisce Éireann’s official channels.

Stay tuned for further updates as this situation develops. The implications of the ongoing water crisis are significant, affecting not just daily life but also the environment and future water resources across the region.