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Hosepipe ban extended in some parts of Republic of Ireland

Getty Images A closeup image of a man's hand holding a yellow hosepipe. The hosepipe is spraying water on to an area of wild green plants.Getty Images
The hosepipe ban in the Republic of Ireland was introduced in late July

The Republic of Ireland's water supplier is extending a hosepipe ban in 13 counties on Wednesday but lifting it in the rest of the country.

Uisce Éireann's (formerly Irish Water) said it can lift the ban in counties including Donegal and Sligo due to "an improvement in the availability of water for supply and increased rainfall".

But in counties where the ban is being extended - including Dublin and Wicklow - the public is being asked to continue to avoid non-essential water use until the end of September.

"Supplies in parts of the east and south remain under pressure, and water sources in these areas will need more time to recover," Margaret Attridge of Uisce Éireann said.

Uisce Éireann's Water Conservation Order (WCO) came into effect across the Republic of Ireland on 24 July.

It prohibits the use of a hosepipe for watering a garden, cleaning a car or boat, or filling a paddling pool, pond or fountain.

In the counties where the ban is being lifted, the public can use hoses again from 23:59 local time on Wednesday.

Where in Ireland is the hosepipe ban being lifted?

The ban is set to be lifted in the following counties:

  • Cavan
  • Clare
  • Donegal
  • Galway
  • Kerry
  • Leitrim
  • Longford
  • Louth
  • Mayo
  • Monaghan
  • Roscommon
  • Sligo
  • Westmeath

Where in Ireland is the hosepipe ban being extended?

The ban remains in place until the end of September in the following counties:

  • Carlow
  • Cork
  • Dublin
  • Kildare
  • Kilkenny
  • Laois
  • Limerick
  • Meath
  • Offaly
  • Tipperary
  • Waterford
  • Wexford
  • Wicklow

Attridge said that the ban can be lifted in large parts of the country is due to "the collective efforts of communities to reduce unnecessary water use have made a real difference in protecting our essential supplies".

In the 13 counties under the extended ban, she added, the public should continue "using only the water they need and to avoid non-essential use".

"We recognise the effort that people have already made, and we appreciate their continued support. Every drop saved will help us protect local supplies and keep water available for essential daily needs," Attridge said.

When the ban was first introduced Uisce Éireann said a high demand for water and prolonged periods of low rainfall levels were behind the decision.