A hosepipe ban could be put in place in Dublin as early as Tuesday with the city's water supply at breaking point.
More people staying at home due to the coronavirus crisis has seen water usage in the Greater Dublin Area "exceed all previous levels".
Last month was the hottest May on record and has seen a number drinking water schemes go into drought.
Irish Water launched an appeal last week asking people to conserve water with the supply struggling to meet the staggering demand.
The utility's Head of Customer Operations Yvonne Harris said on Saturday it was "increasingly likely" the ban would be put in place.
She said: “The equivalent of water supply for an extra 200,000 people was used in one day in this area alone.
“However this is not just a Dublin issue, the levels of demand being experienced nationally cannot be accommodated and run the risk of households not having an adequate supply of water for essential hand washing hygiene.
“Imposing a Water Conservation Order is not a measure that Irish Water wants to take but it is increasingly likely that we will have to do so.
"It is essential that our water supply is protected if we are to avoid restrictions and outages over the coming weeks and months."
The Water Conservation Order is expected to be put in place from Tuesday, the Sunday Independent reports.
In 2018 a hosepipe ban was introduced in the capital in July. It was later extended to the rest of the country before being lifted in September.
Dublin Live has contacted Irish Water for comment.
