Water conservation hub

A number of water supply schemes across the country are experiencing water shortages and reduced pressure where there are low raw water sources or reservoir levels. This is due to a range of factors including high demand for water and prolonged periods of low rainfall levels.

A water conservation order is only introduced if absolutely necessary. Water conservation order encourage people to only use water for essential purposes, in areas where there is a serious deficiency of water available for distribution. Conserving and reducing water consumption in these circumstances is critical to ensure continuity of supply.

What does a Water Conservation Order entail?

Prohibited use

Use of water drawn through a hosepipe or similar apparatus for the purpose of - 

1. watering a ‘garden’
2. cleaning a private motor-vehicle using a hosepipe
3. cleaning a private leisure boat using a hosepipe
4. filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool (except when using hand held containers filled directly from a tap)
5. filling or maintaining a domestic pond (excluding fish ponds) using a hosepipe;
6. filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain (with the exception of such use for commercial purposes).
7. Use of water for filling or replenishing a swimming pool, artificial pond, lake or similar application.

Specified period

This Order takes effect at 00:01 on Friday, 24th July 2026 and ceases to have effect at 23:59 on Wednesday, 26th August 2026, subject to the potential necessity for a further period of prohibition and / or restriction to be extended, depending on prevailing weather conditions. This order may be lifted before the specified period if possible, having regard to the prevailing weather conditions and the availability of water for distribution. Equally, it may be necessary to extend the specified period in time and to other water users, by way of additional order, should the prevailing conditions persist. 

A copy of this Order may be seen at Uisce Éireann’s registered office at Colvill House, 24-26 Talbot Street, Dublin 1 or is available to download below.

A PERSON WHO CONTRAVENES THIS ORDER COMMITS AN OFFENCE PURSUANT TO SECTION 56(18) OF THE WATER SERVICES ACT 2007 (AS AMENDED), AND IS LIABLE ON SUMMARY CONVICTION TO A FINE NOT EXCEEDING €5,000.

The Water Conservation Order relates to the non-essential use of water. We are asking all customers to play their part by reducing unnecessary water use and adopting simple water-saving habits. By conserving water where possible, customers can help protect supplies for homes, hospitals, vulnerable customers and essential services. Customers who consider themselves vulnerable and who require water for medical, health or care-related needs can continue to use water as required, and our customer care team will be happy to support with any additional queries.

We understand that some of our customers have different needs when it comes to using our water services and communicating with us. To support these customers, Uisce Éireann operates a Special Services Register for vulnerable customers and a Priority Services Register for customers who are critically dependent on water. Customers registered on these services receive additional communications and support during planned and unplanned interruptions to water services.

You can register yourself or somebody in your home as a vulnerable customer online or nominate an alternative person to deal with correspondence using the following channels.  

• 1800 278 278 or +353 1 707 2828 (open 24 hour a day 7 days a week).
• Email us at vulnerablecustomer@water.ie

Further information is available in Uisce Éireann's Code of Practice for Vulnerable Customers, which outlines the supports available to customers who may require additional assistance.