Uisce Éireann warns 'water being used faster than it can be replaced' amid rising temperatures

Uisce Éireann is asking households and businesses across the country to keep saving water where they can this summer, as it’s being used faster that it can be replaced in some parts of the country.

In a press release released on Wednesday, Uisce Éireann has said “water is precious, and small changes at home, at work and in the garden can make a real difference,” in response to the high temperatures forecast this week.

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In many parts of the country, including the Greater Dublin Area, water is being used faster than it can be replaced. On warm days, usage in the region has reached up to 680 million litres — about 40 million litres above the year-to-date average.

Popular tourist locations, including parts of Wexford, are also seeing higher water usage as more visitors arrive during hot weather, placing additional pressure on local supplies. This puts extra pressure on the network and can increase the risk of bursts and low pressure.

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.

As a precaution, nighttime restrictions are now in place on 13 water supplies, out of more than 700 nationwide. These are mainly affecting parts of Kilkenny, Tipperary, Donegal, Cork and Meath.

As more people spend time outdoors during the warm weather, Uisce Éireann is reminding the public not to swim in reservoirs and encouraging 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.

The advice is simple: stay back, stay safe and stay out of the water.

Margaret Attridge, Head of Water Operations with Uisce Éireann, said:

“We would like to thank customers and communities for the efforts they are making to save water. Those everyday actions really do help, especially during busy summer periods when supplies can come under pressure.

“We know overnight restrictions can be inconvenient, especially for households and businesses trying to plan their day-to-day routines. These restrictions are only used where needed to protect local supplies and reduce the risk of more serious disruption later on.

“We also want to remind people that reservoirs are not safe places to swim. They may look calm, but they are working sites and there can be real dangers beneath the surface. If you want to swim, please choose a lifeguarded beach or designated swimming area where it is safe to do so.”

Simple water-saving tips:

• Leak free: Check that your home is leak free. Check for running overflows and fix any dripping taps, cisterns or pipes.
• Drop the hose: Use a watering can instead of a hose or sprinkler.
• Don’t let the tap run: Turning off the tap while brushing your teeth can save up to six litres of water per minute.
• Choose showers over baths: A seven-minute shower uses significantly less water than the average bath.
• 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.

To access the water conservation calculator and find more water-saving advice, visit the Water Conservation section of Uisce Éireann’s website.