Short answer. Uisce Éireann issues a boil water notice when harmful bacteria are found in a supply, and a do not consume notice when boiling cannot make it safe 1. Its website shows the supply alerts for your area 2. The official checklist asks for 2-3 litres of bottled drinking water per person per day 5. The EPA recommends testing a household well at least once a year 6.
How do I know if my tap water is unsafe?
Public water supplies are run by Uisce Éireann and regulated by the EPA; local authorities regulate group water schemes and other private supplies, and the HSE must be consulted when standards are not met or there is a public health risk 3.
Uisce Éireann uses three notices 1:
| Notice | When it is issued 1 |
|---|---|
| Boil water notice | Harmful bacteria are found in a water supply; boiling makes the water safe to drink |
| Contact time notice | The chlorine used to disinfect the water has not had enough contact time to work |
| Do not consume notice | The supply is contaminated and boiling cannot make it safe |
To see what applies to you, use "Check your local supply" on water.ie, which shows the water supply alerts for your area 2. Uisce Éireann also offers a free text service for outages in your area, and a register for vulnerable customers; its line is open 24 hours a day on 1800 278 278 1. How national warnings reach you is on our Ireland alerts page.
During a notice, follow the instruction given for your area. See What to do during a boil-water notice and Do-not-drink notices.
How much water should I store?
The Be Emergency Ready checklist asks for 2-3 litres of drinking water per person per day, bottled, kept in a cool, dark place and used before its expiry date 5. It sets no number of days. The full list is on our Ireland emergency supplies page; for storage, see How much water per person per day? and Water storage containers.
Is Ireland short of water?
Local shortages happen in dry spells. A national Water Conservation Order was in effect from 24 July to 26 August 2026, and warm weather led to overnight restrictions in some areas 4. Uisce Éireann says about 38% of Ireland's drinking water is lost to leaks, and it expects to need around 40% more treated water by 2044 4. Water conservation orders or hosepipe bans are introduced only if absolutely necessary 4. If you depend on water for medical needs, register as a vulnerable customer: an alternative supply will be arranged if needed 4.
In WRI's Aqueduct 4.0 model, the population-weighted median of Irish cities is "low to medium" for water stress today, "low" in the 2050 business-as-usual projection and "medium" for drought risk 7. These are city medians: a given town can sit higher or lower. See Drought preparedness.
What if I have a private well?
Water from a well or spring is not necessarily safe 6. The EPA recommends testing your well water at least once a year and offers a "Protect your Well" app to check whether it is properly protected 6. If a well is contaminated with E. coli or coliform bacteria, the EPA says to boil the drinking water until you are sure it is safe to drink and cook with; for a chemical contamination, contact your local authority first 3. Local authorities offer grants where a serious deficiency in water quality needs work 3. See Private well emergencies.
What should I do after a flood?
Follow the notices from Uisce Éireann or your local authority, and see Water safety after a flood. A household plan can keep your water stock, your Eircode and these contacts in one place.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a boil water notice and a do not consume notice?
A boil water notice means boiling makes the water safe to drink; a do not consume notice means the water cannot be made safe by boiling 1.
Who regulates my tap water?
The EPA for public supplies; your local authority for group water schemes and other private supplies 3.
How often should I test my well?
At least once a year, according to the EPA 6.
How much water for a family of four for three days?
At 2-3 litres per person per day, 24 to 36 litres 5.
Sources
- Uisce Éireann — Water quality — https://www.water.ie/help/water-quality (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Uisce Éireann — Supply (Help) – Supply and Service Updates — https://www.water.ie/help/supply (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) — Drinking water — https://www.epa.ie/environment-and-you/drinking-water/ (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Uisce Éireann — Why Ireland experiences water shortages — https://www.water.ie/help/supply/water-shortages (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Office of Emergency Planning, Department of Defence — Your checklist (Be Emergency Ready) — https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/cbe65d91/JAV16262_OEP_Preparedness_Campaign_Checklist_EN.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) — Household Wells — https://www.epa.ie/environment-and-you/drinking-water/household-wells/ (accessed 2026-10-27)
- World Resources Institute (WRI) — Aqueduct 4.0 (water stress, 2050 projection and drought risk) — https://www.wri.org/aqueduct (accessed 2026-10-27)
Turn this into action
Your plan for Ireland, worked out for your household.
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- The nuclear plants and zones around your home
- Phaenyx Safe: one tap to tell your people you are safe
Sources
- Uisce Éireann · Water quality checked 2026-10-27
- Uisce Éireann · Supply (Help) – Supply and Service Updates checked 2026-10-27
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) · Drinking water checked 2026-10-27
- Uisce Éireann · Why Ireland experiences water shortages checked 2026-10-27
- Office of Emergency Planning, Department of Defence · Your checklist (Be Emergency Ready) checked 2026-10-20
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) · Household Wells checked 2026-10-27
- World Resources Institute (WRI) · Aqueduct 4.0 (water stress, 2050 projection and drought risk) checked 2026-10-27