Top tips to save water in your home and garden as Dublin hosepipe ban to kick in
News
Emma Nevin News Reporter
14:57, 14 Jul 2026Updated 15:02, 14 Jul 2026
Dublin and other parts of Ireland will see a six-week “hosepipe ban” come into effect as the spell of hot weather has led to “significantly increased water use”
Uisce Éireann confirmed that the water conservation order will be in place for Dublin and south Tipperary – as well as parts of Kildare, Meath, Wexford and Wicklow – until the end of August 26. It said the order, commonly referred to as a “hosepipe ban”, is being introduced to “safeguard public water supplies for essential purposes following a period of exceptionally warm and dry weather ”
They said due to the domestic customer water use is around 20 per cent above typical levels, driven largely by non-essential outdoor use. In The Greater Dublin Area, recent daily water use reached 693 million litres, around 50 million litres above the year-to-date average
Here are Uisce Éireann’s top tips for saving water both in your home and your garden
Saving water in your home
- Take short showers instead of a bath: Reducing your shower time can save up to 10 litres of water per minute. A typical bath uses 80 litres.
- Turn off the tap: Not running water while brushing your teeth or shaving can save up to six litres a minute. Keep a jug of water in the fridge for drinks.
- Fill up your appliances: Only run your washing machine and dishwasher when they have a full load.
- Fix dripping taps: A single dripping tap can waste between 5,000 and 10,000 litres of water a year.
- Use a basin in the sink: Use a basin when rinsing vegetables or washing dishes and reuse that water for your plants.
- Keep chilling: Running the cold tap for a glass of water can waste up to 10 litres a day. Keep a jug of water in the fridge instead of turning on the cold tap.
Saving water outside and in your garden
- Clean the car with a sponge: When washing your car, avoid the hose and use a bucket and sponge instead.
- Install a water butt: Use it to collect rainwater from your gutters for gardening or washing the yard.
- Pick plants wisely: Opt for low-water plants like lavender or olive trees. Established plants and lawns often don’t need watering unless there’s a drought.
- Lock in moisture: Add bark or plant material to flower beds to prevent evaporation or use gel beads in pots to keep roots hydrated.
- Drop the hose: Drop the hose during the summer months. Use a rose head watering can to water your plants, instead of a hose or sprinkler.
- Dry-clean the yard: Use a scraper or brush to remove solid waste from yards or pens before hosing them down.
Want to see more of the stories you love from Dublin Live? Making us your preferreds and must-read content straight away. To add Dublin Live as a preferred
Article continues below
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read ourPrivacy Notice
