Recent news that parts of Donegal, Meath, and Westmeath are facing a six-week hosepipe ban has drawn some attention to the growing concern around water scarcity in Ireland.
According to The Journal, the six week ban will come into effect today Tuesday 06 May, 2025. This will be put in place across parts of Donegal, Meath and Westmeath.
According to Uisce Éireann, this measure is due to historically low water levels in key sources like Lough Owel (which supplies the Mullingar Public Water Supply) and Lough Colmcille (which supplies Milford in Donegal), following a drier-than-average autumn, winter, and spring.
While the conservation order currently applies to three areas, the broader concern is clear – if such dry spells persist or worsen, water use restrictions could spread to more counties, placing strain on residential, commercial, and infrastructural sectors.
Below, I would like to briefly examine how these developments could affect homeowners, modular housing, construction, and other key industries in both the short and long term.
1. Possible Impact on Standard and Non-Standard Homes
Standard Homeowners.
Standard homeowners in the affected areas could feel the immediate effects of hosepipe bans through restrictions on garden watering, car washing, and leisure-related water use like filling paddling pools.
Over time, repeated bans could lead to a shift in landscaping trends (e.g., drought-tolerant plants such as lavender), and rainwater harvesting systems becoming the norm.
Non-Standard Homeowners.
Since most of these homes are found in rural areas which often already use sustainable features – Modular homes, cottages, log cabins, and tiny homes, could gain a reputational advantage if they further adopt water-saving technologies.
For example, systems that reuse greywater or collect rainwater for toilets and gardens could become selling points, particularly if water restrictions become more common.
2. What This Means for Modular and Off-Grid Living
Non-traditional homes due to mainly rural nature tend to favour efficiency due to their design constraints. Modular housing, in particular, offers the flexibility to integrate systems like:
- Rainwater harvesting units
- Water-saving plumbing fixtures
- Smart usage monitoring systems
These innovations may position modular housing as not only cost-effective and fast to build but also climate-resilient. In an era of water scarcity, such advantages could further bolster their appeal to first-time buyers, off-grid dwellers, and environmentally conscious investors.
3. Could Hosepipe Bans Impact Construction?
I believe yes, especially in the areas affected by this restriction. Water is obviously essential in many construction tasks:
- Mixing cement and concrete
- Dust suppression
- Site cleaning and pressure washing
However, I don’t think this water conservation order would be fully enforced in construction sites over the next 6 weeks. Ireland is in desperate needs of homes right now as it is.
While medium and large construction firms often have their own water access management plans, extended or widespread bans could raise operating costs or delay timelines, especially for small-scale builders.
Moreover, if public supplies are stressed, local authorities may be forced to prioritise water for residential use over commercial needs.
4. Risks to Other Industries in the Long Term
In the long term, industries beyond construction and housing could also face setbacks:
- Agriculture – Already vulnerable to climate changes, farming may struggle with more frequent irrigation restrictions, which may affect crop yields and food supply.
- Car Wash Businesses – Restrictions on hose-based systems; may need water recycling.
- Hospitality & Leisure – Hotels, golf courses, and public pools might need to scale back water-intensive activities.
- Green Energy & Tech – Though Dublin is not affected by this order and contains the vast amount of data centres, these, as well as manufacturing facilities with high cooling water demands may encounter new regulatory or operational challenges in the future.
5. Should We Expect More Hosepipe Bans?
The fact that some water sources are at their lowest levels in 50 years suggests this isn’t an isolated issue.
As summers become hotter and drier, hosepipe bans could become more frequent and widespread. A nationwide shift toward better water management at both domestic and commercial levels is likely necessary.
Conclusion – Preparing for a Drier Future.
For standard homeowners, this might mean more investment in water-saving appliances and a rethink of outdoor leisure. For non-standard homes and modular builds, it’s an opportunity to lead the way in sustainable living design.
From construction delays to industry-wide effects, Ireland’s water shortages underline the need for urgent innovation and policy alignment.
The growing interest in climate-resilient housing, solar energy, and efficient modular construction — could be accelerated if the state actively supports these developments through grants, incentives, and regulatory flexibility.
