hosepipe_ban_2_may_ireland-1200x745 Three regions hit with hosepipe ban

Uisce Éireann has confirmed that a hosepipe ban will be enforced for six weeks from next Tuesday in three regions facing critically low water levels.

The restrictions will apply to Mullingar (Co Westmeath), Milford (Co Donegal), and the Kells-Oldcastle area (Co Meath).

The Water Conservation Order is being introduced to protect essential water supplies following a steep decline in lake levels feeding these communities. The drop has been attributed to a prolonged period of unusually low rainfall.

Uisce Éireann is also urging people nationwide to use water sparingly as the summer approaches.

The hosepipe ban in Meath, Westmeath, and Donegal will begin just after midnight on Tuesday, 6 May, and remain in place until 11.59pm on Monday, 16 June.

Jim Fitzgerald, Regional Operations Senior Manager for Water at Uisce Éireann, said, “In response, we have increased our efforts in leakage detection, pipe repair, and overall network management. As demand continues to outstrip supply and with further dry weather predicted, we have taken the extra step of implementing a Water Conservation Order to safeguard the local water supply.”

hosepipe_ban_2_may_ireland2-1200x745 Three regions hit with hosepipe ban — The hosepipe ban in Meath, Westmeath, and Donegal will begin just after midnight on Tuesday.

Meath

Commenting on the situation in Meath, Uisce Eireann said, “Since May 2024, rainfall in Meath has been below average when compared to historical rainfall records. There was 656mm of rainfall measured in the nearby Mullingar weather station between May 2024 and March 2025 compared to historical records of 897mm for the same period. A further spell of dry, warm weather is forecast in early May. It is not likely that predicted rainfall for this time of year would be sufficient to put Lough Bane in a notably better position as we move into the early summer period.”

Michael Cunniffe, Water Network Operations Lead with Uisce Éireann, said: “Uisce Éireann’s top priority is to protect the water supply for use in homes, businesses and essential services. The local community will have noticed that water level in Lough Bane remains lower than usual for this time of year. This is due to significantly reduced rainfall over the past 12 months. While it may often feel like Ireland gets plenty of rain the data shows we’ve experienced an unseasonably warm and dry autumn and winter. As a result, Lough Bane has not had its usual seasonal recharge, and we are heading into the summer months with lower-than-average water levels.”

The Meath order applies to customers served by the regional water supply in Kells, Oldcastle, Drumone, Crossakeel, Fennor, Kilskeer, Newcastle, Kilmainham, Headfort and Carlanstown, and not the rest of the county.

Donegal

In relation to Donegal, the water utility company stated, “Since September 2024, rainfall in Donegal has been below average when compared to historical rainfall records. There was only 67% (487mm) of rain at the weather station in Malin Head, Donegal between September 2024 and March 2025 compared to historical records for Malin Head (724mm). Met Éireann is forecasting a further spell of dry, warm weather in early May and there is indication that an average amount of rain is forecast later in May. However, it is not likely that this predicted rainfall amount would be sufficient to put Lough Colmcille in a notably better position as we move into the early summer period when they would historically experience an increased drop in levels from drier/warmer weather.”

Damien O’Sullivan of Uisce Éireann, said: “It is very clear from Uisce Éireann’s data that warm weather creates a surge in demand for water. Such weather makes the use of hoses more likely for gardening, leisure and other purposes. However, using a hosepipe for one hour is the equivalent of the daily water usage of an average family and this is generally a non-essential use of water.”

The Donegal order only applies to customers supplied by the public water supply in Milford, Kerrykeel, Ramelton, and not the rest of the county.

Westmeath

On the hose-pipe ban being introduced in Westmeath, Uisce Éireann commented, “Since May 2024, rainfall in Mullingar has been below average when compared to historical rainfall records. There was 656mm of rainfall measured in the nearby Mullingar weather station between May 2024 and March 2025 compared to historical records of 897mm for the same period. A further spell of dry, warm weather is forecast in early May. It is not likely that predicted rainfall for this time of year would be sufficient to put Lough Owel in a notably better position as we move into the early summer period.”

The Mullingar Regional Supply, sourced from Lough Owel serves over 50,000 customers across a large area of County Westmeath, including Mullingar Town and its surrounding areas, as well as the communities across Ballynacarrigy, Moyvore, Ballymore, Moate, Rathowen, Streete, Rathconrath, Killucan, Coralstown, Kinnegad, Milltownpass, Tyrrellspass, Kilbeggan, Ballinagore, Castletown Geoghan, Gaybrook, and Horseleap. The order applies only to areas supplied by Lough Owel and does not currently include customers in Athlone or in the North of the county served by the Ballany Water Treatment Plant.

Dry outlook to mid-May

Ireland’s weather will remain under the influence of high pressure for the opening half of May, bringing abundant sunshine and minimal rainfall.

All major weather forecasting models indicate high pressure remaining in charge of our weather with average temperatures into early next week (11-16 °C), before an increase in temperatures during the second half of the week (15-19 °C).

The remarkable dry start to the month mirrors the first half of April when some parts of Ireland recorded trace rainfall totals and all of Ireland enjoyed extensive sunshine.