Uisce Éireann continues to appeal to customers in Clare to conserve water as increased use means supplies are being used faster than water can be treated and stored in local reservoirs.
As a result of high demand, Uisce Éireann has taken proactive measures to safeguard water supplies by maximising treated water production, repairing leaks and bursts and optimising network operations to maintain supply for customers amid continued warm and dry weather conditions.
Uisce Éireann is continuing targeted tankering operations in North Clare to supplement local water supplies and maintain continuity of service for customers while treated water supplies remain under pressure.
The continuation of nighttime restrictions in parts of Clare is essential to allow treated water reservoirs to recover and ensure daytime supply for homes, businesses and essential services.
Nighttime restrictions remain in place in the following areas from 10pm until 8am:
Ennistymon, Lahinch, Liscannor, Doolin, Lisdoonvarna, Fanore, Ballyvaughan, Kilfenora and Kilshanny.
Uisce Éireann is continuously monitoring water levels in Clare and adjusting operations daily based on demand, usage, and weather conditions.
A nationwide Water Conservation Order is now in effect until Wednesday, 26 August 2026 to protect public water supplies now and in the months ahead for homes, businesses, farms, hospitals, vulnerable customers and essential services.
Darragh Connelly, Operations Manager with Uisce Éireann, said: “We want to thank customers across Clare for the efforts they have already made to conserve water. While this is helping, demand remains high and treated water supplies continue to be under pressure. We are asking everyone to keep doing what they can to reduce water use this weekend so that we can protect supplies and maintain essential water services.”
Uisce Éireann is continuing to ask customers to take practical steps to conserve water at home, including taking shorter showers, fixing leaks and leaking toilets, and avoiding the use of hosepipes or sprinklers in the garden. A garden hose or sprinkler can use more than the average family uses in a full day. As the Water Conservation Order is being extended nationwide, it applies to all public water supplies across the country for the specified period. Uisce Éireann’s customer care team remains available for all customer queries.
We would also ask the public to report any leaks they see on the public network which may be visible in the dry conditions by contacting Uisce Éireann at 1800 278 278 or on Uisce Éireann (formerly Irish Water) | Water Utility | Uisce Éireann
Customers can also use Uisce Éireann’s online water calculator to better understand their household water use and identify simple ways to save water every day Water Calculator | Conservation | Uisce Éireann (formerly Irish Water)
Further updates and water conservation advice are available at water.ie/conservation.
Water Conservation Order
The prohibited uses are as follows:
- Use of water drawn through a hosepipe or similar apparatus for watering a garden.
- Cleaning a private motor vehicle using a domestic hosepipe.
- Cleaning a private leisure boat.
- 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.
- Filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain, except for commercial purposes.
- Filling or replenishing an artificial pond, lake or similar application.
Should the prevailing weather conditions, and likely or actual serious deficiency of water available for distribution continue, it may be necessary to extend the Order for a longer period by way of additional order(s).
The Order may be lifted before the end of the specified period if possible, or lifted in specific area(s), having regard to prevailing weather conditions and the availability of water for distribution.
Full details of the Water Conservation Order, including advice for customers, are available at www.water.ie.
Key tips to help conserve water
Drop the hose: Use a watering can instead of a hose or sprinkler.
Leak free: Check that your home is leak free. Check for running overflows and fix any dripping taps, cisterns or pipes.
Don’t let the tap run: Turning off the tap while brushing your teeth can save up to six litres of water per minute
Run full loads: Only use washing machines and dishwashers when fully loaded.
Save on flushing: Consider using a cistern displacement device to reduce water use.
Choose showers over baths: A seven-minute shower uses significantly less water than the average bath.
Water conservation tips for business
Conduct a water audit to see where savings can be made.
Appoint water stewards who will champion water conservation.
Invest in water-efficient devices and appliances such as dual-flush toilets, mixer taps and low-flow showers.
Raise awareness among customers and employees with water conservation notices and signage.
Water conservation tips for the farming community
Drinking troughs: Watch out for overflowing drinking troughs as they can waste significant amounts of water. Adjust the ball valves to lower the float or replace faulty parts.
Taps and hosepipes: Do not leave running taps and hosepipes unattended. Always fix dripping taps and hosepipes promptly and repair overflows. Fit automatic shut-off valves if possible.
Dry cleaning: Save water when cleaning the yard by using dry-cleaning techniques to remove solid waste from yards and pens before hosing.
Clean plate cooler water: If you own a dairy farm, you can divert clean plate cooler water to a tank and use it for parlour washing.
Rainwater harvesting: Reusing rainwater from the roofs of farm buildings can lead to savings on your water bills. Collected rainwater can be used for washing down yards and on slatted sheds.