Dubliners will not be allowed to use a hosepipe to wash their car or fill up a paddling pool.
Irish Water has issued a Water Conservation Order for the Greater Dublin Area which comes into effect from today.
Water demand has increased dramatically following the recent spell of hot weather.
The so-called 'hosepipe ban' means that people won't be allowed to use a hosepipe for unnecessary use of water, such as:
- watering a garden
- cleaning a private motor-vehicle using a domestic hosepipe
- cleaning a private leisure boat using a hosepipe
- 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) using a hosepipe
- filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain (with the exception of such use for commercial purposes)
- use of water for filling or replenishing an artificial pond (excluding fish ponds), lake or similar application.
The order could be extended beyond the capital, as Irish Water says over 100 different supplies around the country are 'at risk', while 39 are under night-time restrictions.
