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Uisce Éireann extends Water Conservation Order nationwide to protect supplies for all

Uisce Éireann has confirmed that a Water Conservation Order will be extended to all counties including Cavan from 00:01 on Friday 24 July until Wednesday 26 August 2026, expanding the existing Order already in place for Dublin, South Tipperary and parts of Kildare, Meath, Wexford and Wicklow.

The nationwide extension 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. The recent hot weather predicted to continue, combined with low rainfall, is driving exceptionally high demand and intensifying pressure on water sources and treated drinking water supplies. Uisce Éireann 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 Cavan 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.

Uisce Éireann would like to thank customers across Cavan for their continued water conservation efforts. Night-time restrictions remain in effect on the Cavan Town Public Water Supply to protect daytime supply. These restrictions are in place from 11pm to 7am nightly. Customers on this supply are urged to continue using water responsibly to help safeguard supplies.

Anthony Skeffington, Uisce Éireann Regional Operations Senior Manager for the north-west region, said: “We are asking everyone across Cavan 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 extended Order will apply to all households and is being extended because raw water sources in many areas around the country are coming under increasing pressure following a prolonged period of exceptionally hot and dry weather. Met Éireann’s extended range forecast indicates that temperatures are expected to remain above average and rainfall below average in the period ahead. Several groundwater sources are now showing signs of stress, with reduced or no yields being experienced in a number of areas. In other areas such as parts of the Greater Dublin Area, and popular visitor destinations around the coast, supplies remain under pressure due to high water usage, which often outstrips production capacity.

Night-time restrictions are also currently in place on 53 of 700 water supplies mainly in areas where local sources are under pressure. Extending the Water Conservation Order nationwide will support a reduction in non-essential use, ease pressure on water sources and safeguard supplies for essential purposes. 
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 continuing to ask customers to take practical steps to conserve water at home, including taking shorter showers, fixing leaks and leaking toilets, and avoiding the use of hosepipes or sprinklers in the garden. A garden hose or sprinkler can use around 1,000 litres of water per hour – more than the average family uses in a full day.

As the Water Conservation Order is being extended nationwide, it applies to all public water supplies across the country for the specified period. Uisce Éireann’s customer care team remains available for all customer queries.

We would also ask the public to report any leaks they see on the public network which may be visible in the dry conditions by contacting Uisce Éireann at 1800 278 278 or on Uisce Éireann (formerly Irish Water) | Water Utility | Uisce Éireann
Customers can also use Uisce Éireann’s online water calculator to better understand their household water use and identify simple ways to save water every day Water Calculator | Conservation | Uisce Éireann (formerly Irish Water)
Further updates and water conservation advice are available at water.ie/conservation.


Water Conservation Order


The prohibited uses are as follows:

  • Use of water drawn through a hosepipe or similar apparatus for watering a garden.
  • Cleaning a private motor vehicle using a domestic hosepipe.
  • Cleaning a private leisure boat.
  • Filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool, except when using hand-held containers filled directly from a tap.
  • Filling or maintaining a domestic pond, excluding fish ponds.
  • Filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain, except for commercial purposes.
  • Filling or replenishing an artificial pond, lake or similar application.

Should the prevailing weather conditions, and likely or actual serious deficiency of water available for distribution continue, it may be necessary to extend the Order for a longer period by way of additional order(s). The Order may be lifted before the end of the specified period if possible, or lifted in specific area(s), having regard to prevailing weather conditions and the availability of water for distribution.
Full details of the Water Conservation Order, including advice for customers, are available at www.water.ie.

Key tips to help conserve water

  • Drop the hose: Use a watering can instead of a hose or sprinkler.
  • Leak free: Check that your home is leak free. Check for running overflows and fix any dripping taps, cisterns or pipes.
  • Don’t let the tap run: Turning off the tap while brushing your teeth can save up to six litres of water per minute.
  • Choose showers over baths: A seven-minute shower uses significantly less water than the average bath.
  • Run full loads: Only use washing machines and dishwashers when fully loaded.
  • Save on flushing: Consider using a cistern displacement device to reduce water use.

Water conservation tips for business

  • Conduct a water audit to see where savings can be made.
  • Appoint water stewards who will champion water conservation.
  • Invest in water-efficient devices and appliances such as dual-flush toilets, mixer taps and low-flow showers.
  • Raise awareness among customers and employees with water conservation notices and signage.

Water conservation tips for the farming community

  • Drinking troughs: Watch out for overflowing drinking troughs as they can waste significant amounts of water. Adjust the ball valves to lower the float or replace faulty parts.
  • Taps and hosepipes: Do not leave running taps and hosepipes unattended. Always fix dripping taps and hosepipes promptly and repair overflows. Fit automatic shut-off valves if possible.
  • Dry cleaning: Save water when cleaning the yard by using dry-cleaning techniques to remove solid waste from yards and pens before hosing.
  • Clean plate cooler water: If you own a dairy farm, you can divert clean plate cooler water to a tank and use it for parlour washing.
  • Rainwater harvesting: Reusing rainwater from the roofs of farm buildings can lead to savings on your water bills. Collected rainwater can be used for washing down yards and on slatted sheds.