Waterford hosepipe ban extended to mid-September

Uisce Éireann has reminded customers in Waterford that a Water Conservation Order remains in place until September 16th as supplies continue to come under pressure following a prolonged spell of dry weather.

The restrictions prohibit the use of garden hoses and other non-essential uses of water. The measure was introduced after high demand combined with below-average rainfall placed severe strain on supplies across the county.

According to Met Éireann, just 116.1mm of rain was recorded at Moore Park during May, June and July, compared with a long-term average of 203.6mm for the same period. This represents a shortfall of almost 43 per cent.

Fionnuala Callery, Uisce Éireann’s regional technical operations manager for water, said safeguarding supplies for homes, businesses and essential services remained the company’s top priority.

“While it may often feel like Ireland receives plenty of rain, the data shows the past 12 months have been unseasonably warm and dry. As a result, water sources across Waterford have not had their usual seasonal recharge,” she said.

“With demand continuing to outstrip supply in some areas, and further dry weather anticipated, we are reminding the public that the Water Conservation Order remains in place to help protect the local water supply.”

Ms Callery added that using a hosepipe for one hour can consume as much water as a family typically uses in a full day. She encouraged households to reduce non-essential consumption and adopt measures such as taking shorter showers and reusing household water in gardens.

Uisce Éireann said it continues to intensify leak detection and repair programmes while also working with commercial users to reduce unnecessary demand.

The company warned that further restrictions or supply interruptions could not be ruled out if consumption remains high in the coming weeks.