A six-week hosepipe ban has come into effect across six areas of the country as Ireland continues to experience hot, dry weather, while Met Éireann has issued a fresh Status Yellow high temperature warning.
The water conservation order applies to Dublin, south Tipperary and parts of Kildare, Meath, Wexford and Wicklow. It will remain in place until 26 August, although Uisce Éireann said it could be lifted sooner if weather conditions improve or extended if dry conditions continue.
The utility is urging households and businesses to reduce non-essential water use to help protect supplies for homes, hospitals, vulnerable customers and essential services.
Under the restrictions, using a hosepipe to water gardens, wash vehicles or fill paddling pools is prohibited. Uisce Éireann said the measures are necessary following a significant increase in water demand during the recent spell of warm weather.
The company also confirmed that additional hosepipe bans are being actively considered for other parts of the country if pressure on supplies continues.
Separate night-time water restrictions remain in place on 39 water supplies nationwide. These affect parts of Donegal, Cavan, Longford, Meath, Galway, Laois, Tipperary, Limerick, Kerry, Cork, Waterford, Kilkenny and Wexford.
Meanwhile, Met Éireann has issued another Status Yellow high temperature warning, which comes into effect at midday tomorrow and remains in place until 8pm. The latest alert covers Carlow, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Wexford, Cork, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford.
An earlier Status Yellow warning covering Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath, Cavan, Donegal, as well as all of Munster and Connacht, remains in place until tomorrow morning.
The national forecaster has warned of a number of hazards associated with the prolonged hot weather, including increased risks around water safety, heat stress, drought conditions, forest fires and uncomfortable sleeping conditions.
Coillte has also warned that the risk of forest fires is currently high and has asked retailers to suspend the sale of disposable barbecues during the current conditions.
The issue is also set to be discussed by Cabinet next week, with ministers expected to consider proposals for an outright ban on disposable barbecues in Ireland's national parks. Heads of a bill are currently being prepared by Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher O'Sullivan.
Speaking on RTÉ's Today with David McCullagh, Department of Agriculture forestry inspector Ciaran Nugent said disposable barbecues continue to create serious problems in public spaces.
"They just cause so many difficulties afterwards," he said. "We're seeing these used on beaches, causing fires on dunes and also leaving patches of hot sand that people can potentially step on."
Mr Nugent said the warm weather provides a great opportunity for people to enjoy the outdoors but stressed that everyone has a responsibility to protect the countryside.
Killarney National Park Divisional Manager Eamon Meskell revealed that the remains of a disposable barbecue had recently been discovered in the park just 50 yards from a "No Fire" sign.
He said he would welcome the introduction of on-the-spot fines for people caught using disposable barbecues in national parks, adding that while many visitors behave responsibly, others continue to put people and wildlife at risk.
