Water Conservation Order extended in Laois 

Uisce Éireann has confirmed that the Water Conservation Order for Laois will be extended until midnight on Sunday, 30 September, as water sources and public water supplies in the county remain under pressure and need more time to recover.

The current nationwide Order is due to expire at 23:59 on Wednesday, 26 August. However, the Order will remain in place in Laois and 12 other counties where continued protection of water supplies is required. The extension is subject to prevailing weather conditions and the availability of water for distribution.

The Water Conservation Order was introduced on 24 following a prolonged period of hot and dry weather, high water use and growing pressure on public water supplies. While increased rainfall and the public’s conservation efforts have improved conditions in many parts of the country, supplies in parts of the east and south remain under pressure.

Water supplies in Laois continue to face pressure from sustained high demand and the wider impacts of prolonged dry weather across the Midlands. Reduced river flows and delayed recharge of water resources are increasing supply-side risks, while operational interventions remain in place on a number of schemes including Swan. The extension will help conserve available supplies while water sources recover.

Customers are being asked to continue using only the water they need and to avoid non-essential water use. This will help conserve the water currently available and protect supplies for homes, businesses, farms, hospitals, vulnerable customers and essential services.

James Joyce Water Treatment Operations Manager, with Uisce Éireann, thanked communities across Laois for their support:

“We recognise the effort that people have already made to conserve water, and we sincerely appreciate their continued support.

“Although conditions have improved in many parts of the country, Laois water sources and public water supplies need more time to recover. Extending the Water Conservation Order will help us protect the water that is available and reduce the risk of disruption to customers.

“We are asking everyone to continue using only the water they need and to avoid non-essential use. Every drop saved will help protect local supplies and keep water available for essential daily needs.

“Simple actions can make a real difference. Taking shorter showers, fixing dripping taps or leaking toilets, running washing machines and dishwashers only when full, and using a watering can instead of a hose will all help.” Uisce Éireann is continuing to take operational measures to maintain supplies. These include maximising water production, repairing leaks, moving water by tanker where necessary and managing the network to reduce the risk of outages The public can help by reporting visible leaks on the public water network to Uisce Éireann on 1800 278 278 or through water.ie. Further water conservation advice is available at water.ie/conservation.

ENDS For media queries, please contact press@water.ie.

Note to Editors The extended Water Conservation Order takes effect at 23:59 on Wednesday, 26 August and remains in place until 23:59 on 30 September, subject to prevailing weather conditions and the availability of water for distribution.

It applies in the following counties:

Carlow, Cork, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Limerick, Meath, Offaly, Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford and Wicklow.

Uses covered by the Order The Order prohibits the use of water drawn through a hosepipe or similar equipment for:

Watering a garden.

Cleaning a private motor vehicle.

Cleaning a private leisure boat.

Filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool, except where hand-held containers filled directly from a tap are used.

Filling or maintaining a domestic pond, excluding fish ponds.

Filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain, except where required for commercial purposes.

Filling or replenishing an artificial pond, lake or similar feature.

Simple ways to conserve water Use a watering can instead of a hose or sprinkler.

Check for dripping taps, leaking toilets and overflowing pipes.

Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth.

Take shorter showers.

Run washing machines and dishwashers only when full