Leinster Residents Most Likely to Report Hosepipe Ban Breaches
- Residents in Leinster were nearly twice as likely to report neighbors for breaching a hosepipe ban than people in Ireland's other provinces, according to data from Uisce Éireann.
- The water conservation order was implemented in July after a prolonged period of dry and warm weather strained water supplies.
- The reporting rate in Leinster was approximately three times higher than the rate in Ulster counties, which include Cavan, Monaghan, and Donegal.
Residents in Leinster were nearly twice as likely to report neighbors for breaching a hosepipe ban than people in Ireland’s other provinces, according to data from Uisce Éireann. Figures released following a Freedom of Information request show Leinster recorded 7.5 complaints per 100,000 people during a five-week water conservation order, compared to 4.6 in Munster, 3.1 in Connacht, and 2.6 in Ulster.
The water conservation order was implemented in July after a prolonged period of dry and warm weather strained water supplies. Uisce Éireann encouraged homeowners to report suspected breaches, such as washing cars or watering gardens, to its customer care team.
Breakdown of Hosepipe Ban Complaints by Region
The reporting rate in Leinster was approximately three times higher than the rate in Ulster counties, which include Cavan, Monaghan, and Donegal. Higher complaint rates were likely in built-up areas where more homes overlook each other.
Across the entire period of the ban, Uisce Éireann received 439 total complaints. The distribution of these reports included:
- 126 reports regarding the watering of plants and gardens
- 85 reports of people washing cars
- 81 reports of people hosing down driveways
- 10 reports related to the filling of swimming pools
- 77 reports concerning commercial water use
- 60 reports listed as having no specifics
Uisce Éireann explained that the conservation order was only applicable to domestic users, meaning commercial activities like car washes were not included.
Timeline and Volume of Water Conservation Reports
The highest volume of reports occurred early in the restriction period. Between July 16th and 22nd, Uisce Éireann received 106 reports, nearly a quarter of the overall total.
Despite the regional variations in reporting, Uisce Éireann stated that these complaints constituted a small fraction of its total operations. A spokesperson for the utility noted that contacts relating to breaches of the order represented less than 1 per cent of the total contact volume for the customer care team.
Uisce Éireann Response to Water Shortages
The utility attributed the successful protection of local water supplies during one of the hottest summers and driest July on record to the efforts of the public to conserve water. Most contacts made to the customer care team involved requests for advice on what was and was not allowed or reporting leaks.
Our experience is that when people understand the reasons for restrictions, they respond positively and reduce non-essential water use.
Uisce Éireann spokesperson
The utility has stated that all restrictions have been removed now, citing an increase in rainfall and the exceptional water conservation efforts made by people throughout the country.