Hosepipe Ban in Meath 2026: Water Conservation Order
Published:
Only in part. Most of Meath is not covered. The Water Conservation Order applies to parts of Meath from 16 July 2026 until 26 August 2026. Because the boundary follows the water supply network rather than the county line, check Uisce Éireann's own map for your address.
Only parts of Meath, within the Greater Dublin Area supply, are covered by the Order. Meath is also subject to a separate overnight water-restriction instrument on some supplies, which is not the same thing. We do not publish a town-by-town split for Meath because it could not be cleanly verified against Uisce Éireann's own Order map. Check that map for your address.
Check your exact address
The Order follows Uisce Éireann's supply network, not the county boundary. We do not build an Eircode boundary checker, because that would mean guessing the supply lines. Use the official map instead.
Uisce Éireann supply map →What the Order bans in Meath
Within the covered area, a hosepipe may not be used to water a garden, wash a private car or wash a private leisure boat. Filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool is banned, except a small pool filled by hand-held containers directly from a tap. Filling or maintaining a domestic pond is banned, but fish ponds are excluded. Filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain is banned, except for commercial use. See what you can still do and the fine structure.
Explore the Irish picture
- Ireland Water Conservation Order hub, all affected areas.
- What is a Water Conservation Order? how it differs from a UK hosepipe ban.
- How long will it last? the fixed window and how it can end early or extend.
- Night-time water restrictions, the separate overnight instrument.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a hosepipe ban in Meath?
In parts of Meath, yes. The Water Conservation Order covers the parts of Meath served through the Greater Dublin Area, not the whole county, from 16 July to 26 August 2026. Meath separately has overnight water restrictions on some supplies, which is a different measure. For the exact position at your address, use Uisce Éireann's supply map.
What is banned under the Water Conservation Order in Meath?
Using a hosepipe to water a garden, wash a private car, or wash a private leisure boat; filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool (except a small pool filled by hand-held containers directly from a tap); filling or maintaining a domestic pond (fish ponds are excluded); and filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain (commercial use is excepted). Using a watering can or bucket is always allowed, and Uisce Éireann encourages reusing household water.
What is the fine for breaching the ban in Meath?
Breaching a Water Conservation Order is an offence under section 56(18) of the Water Services Act 2007. Uisce Éireann can issue a fixed payment notice of 125 euro, which is prosecuted if it is not paid within 21 days; on summary conviction a court can impose a fine of up to 5,000 euro. In practice, prosecutions are effectively unheard of: Uisce Éireann relies on a request to desist and on the Order itself signalling the seriousness of the situation.
Area-to-supply routing is a guide, not a guarantee: Uisce Éireann's supply boundaries do not follow county lines. The definitive answer for your address is the Uisce Éireann supply map. ← Back to the Ireland hub