Irish Water has lifted the national hosepipe ban.
The utility says they can lift the conservation order early following recent heavy rainfall and improving river and groundwater conditions.
The 6-week ban had been due to remain in place until July 21st.
It was issued last month in a bid to safeguard water supplies for essential purposes, in particular water needed for sanitation purposes during the COVID-19 crisis.
At the time of its introduction, 27 of Irish Water’s 900 drinking water schemes were in drought with another 50 at risk of going into drought.
The recent spells of heavy rain mean some of those have now recovered.
Only 17 schemes are now in drought while a further 61 are at risk.
MD of Irish Water Niall Gleeson has warned that "should we enter a spell of prolonged warm and dry weather, and if the sources go into drought again, we may need to reconsider and re-impose a Water Conservation Order".
