UISCE ÉIREANN IS urging households to take showers rather than baths and not use garden hoses during hot weather as high temperatures are to continue into next week, with heat wave conditions expected.

The national water utility said that in many parts of the country water is being used faster than it can be replaced.

It said that in the Greater Dublin Area, water usage on warm days is about 40 million litres above the year-to-date average, while popular tourist locations, including parts of Wexford, are also seeing higher water usage.

“This puts extra pressure on the network and can increase the risk of bursts and low pressure,” Uisce Éireann said.

“The vast majority of customers are not seeing any impact to their supply, but Uisce Éireann teams are continuing to monitor supplies, manage the network, repair leaks and take targeted action where needed to protect water services for customers.”

Uisce Éireann said that, as a precaution, nighttime restrictions are now in place on 13 water supplies, mainly affecting parts of Counties Kilkenny, Tipperary, Donegal, Cork and Meath.

It is asking households and businesses across the country to keep saving water where they can and advised the public to use a watering can instead of a hose or sprinkler, choose showers over baths and not let the tap run while brushing teeth.

It also asked people to check their homes are leak free, only use washing machines and dishwashers when fully loaded and consider using a cistern displacement device to reduce water use. 

Uisce Éireann also reminded the public not to swim in reservoirs and encouraged parents and guardians to talk to children and young people about the dangers of entering them.

“While reservoirs can look calm and inviting, they are working sites that store drinking water and can be far more dangerous than they appear. The water stays extremely cold even on hot days, and hidden currents, sudden drops in depth and underwater hazards can present serious risks,” it said.