Six-week hosepipe ban to come into force across Republic from Tuesday

The ban will prohibit people from using garden hosepipes for non-essential purposes such as watering plants, filling paddling pools, garden water fountains, or washing cars and other vehicles.

The national water utility warned last week that a hosepipe ban, officially known as a water conservation order, was likely due to the prolonged period of dry, sunny weather.

The ban will apply for an initial six-week period until midnight on July 21, unless it is extended further. Households found to be in breach of the ban can be fined €125.

Irish Water has said 27 of its drinking water schemes are now at drought levels, with a further 50 at risk of drought.

It’s understood that a minimum accumulation of 100mm of rainfall over a number of weeks, and a return to normal rainfall levels thereafter, is required to ease the threat to the country’s water supply.