Hosepipe ban continues in Moydrum - but not in Monksland

A hosepipe ban continues in place for at least another month in Westmeath, but not in Roscommon.
Irish Water announced today that it was continuing the Water Conservation Order for Westmeath, Offaly, Dublin, Louth, Meath, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Carlow, Wicklow, Wexford, Waterford, Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Tipperary.
It said it was appealing to ALL to continue to conserve water as raw water supplies in rivers, lakes and ground water sources remain lower than normal

It added that water conservation efforts made to date are helping to restore levels in rivers, lakes and ground water sources but further conservation is needed

The Water Conservation Order has been lifted for the rest of the country, including Roscommon, due to increased rainfall and the conservation measures over the last two months

The Board of Irish Water considered detailed analysis of drinking water sources (river flows and lake levels) from engineering experts within Irish Water and the local authorities, including the hydrologist records of OPW and the ESB and future weather forecasts in making its decision to retain the Water Conservation Order in 16 counties until Sunday, September 30.

Irish Water said that in the midlands and south east, supplies are now generally functioning normally, with full service levels available. However, borehole and river levels remain historically low and we must provide for potentially dry weather during September.

The Water Conservation Order prohibits use of water drawn through a hosepipe or similar for the purpose of:

watering a garden

cleaning a private motor-vehicle using a hosepipe

cleaning a private leisure boat using a hosepipe

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) using a hosepipe

filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain (with the exception of such use for commercial purposes)

use of water for filling or replenishing an artificial pond (excluding fish ponds), lake or similar application.