Uisce Éireann said that the ban only applies to “domestic users and specified non-essential uses of water”.

THE HOSEPIPE BAN that is currently in place across six counties will be extended nationwide from Friday.

This expands a previous ban currently in place for Dublin, south Tipperary and parts of Kildare, Meath, Wexford and Wicklow. It will run until Wednesday 26 August.

Uisce Éireann has said that several groundwater sources across the country are showing signs of stress, with reduced or no yields. For 53 out of 700 (7.5%) of water supplies, nighttime restrictions are also in place.