A HOSEPIPE BAN that is currently in place across six counties is set to be extended nationwide from Friday.

The water conservation order, commonly referred to as a hosepipe ban, will come into effect nationwide from Friday 24 July until Wednesday 26 August.

This expands a hosepipe ban that is currently in place for Dublin, south Tipperary and parts of Kildare, Meath, Wexford and Wicklow.

Uisce Éireann has said that the nationwide extension is being introduced to “help protect public water supplies now and in the months ahead”.

It added that several groundwater sources are showing “signs of stress”, with reduced or no yields being experienced in a number of areas.

A spokesperson said that recent hot weather, combined with low rainfall, is “driving exceptionally high demand and intensifying pressure on water sources and treated drinking water supplies”.

Uisce Éireann noted that Met Éireann’s extended forecast indicates that “temperatures are expected to remain above average and rainfall below average in the period ahead”.

It added that “should the prevailing weather conditions” continue, the hosepipe ban could be extended beyond 26 August.

However, the hosepipe ban could also be lifted early, or lifted early in specific areas, depending on the weather or the availability of water for distribution.

Uisce Éireann meanwhile noted that in other areas, such as parts of the Greater Dublin Area, supplies remain “under pressure due to high water usage, which often outstrips production capacity”.

Uisce Éireann added that it “continues to take all measures to keep water flowing by maximising production, repairing leaks, tankering water and operating the network to minimise outages and protect supplies”.

The hosepipe ban, which comes into place from 00.01 on 24 July, will apply to all households.

It prohibits the use of a hosepipe or similar apparatus for activities such as watering a garden, cleaning a private motor vehicle, or cleaning a private leisure boat.

It also prohibits filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool, filling or maintaining a domestic pond (excluding fish ponds) and filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain, except where required for commercial purposes.

Meanwhile, night-time restrictions are also currently in place on 53 of 700 water supplies, mainly in areas where local sources are under pressure.

Uisce Éireann said that extending the hosepipe ban nationwide will “support a reduction in non-essential use, ease pressure on water sources and safeguard supplies for essential purposes”.

Mairead Conlon, asset strategy senior manager with Uisce Éireann, said: “We are asking everyone to use only what they need and to avoid any non-essential water use until conditions improve.”

She added that early indications show that people are supporting the hosepipe ban that is currently in place, with water usage in the Greater Dublin Area beginning to decrease.

“This is making a difference,” said Conlon, “but pressures remain high and we are now asking people across the country to continue reducing non-essential use.

“Continued support from the public will help reduce pressure on supplies and keep water available for essential daily needs.”

Uisce Éireann meanwhile is continuing to ask customers to take “practical steps to conserve water at home”, such as taking shorter showers and fixing leaks.

It has also reminded the public to report any leaks they see on the public network which may be visible in dry conditions.