Irish Water has said it will 'likely' impose night-time water restrictions in the Greater Dublin Area.

The utility has warned that the rain needed to help build up new water supplies is simply 'not coming'.

While Met Éireann says there will be some alleviation in drought conditions this week, the dry weather in recent weeks is continuing to put pressure on water supplies.

Irish Water says its consulting with local authorities in Dublin, Kildare, Wicklow and Meath with a view to introducing night-time water restrictions.

It says the move would help prevent widespread water outages in the autumn.

Further details on the planned restrictions will be announced tomorrow, the utility has said.

Check out today's update by Chartered Engineer and water conservation expert, Kate Gannon, explaining the need for water restrictions across the Greater Dublin Area. @DubCityCouncil @sdublincoco @Fingalcoco @dlrcc @meathcoco @KildareCoCo @wicklowcoco pic.twitter.com/BGbVE3fIEC

— Irish Water (@IrishWater) July 12, 2018

In a statement, Irish Water's Kate Gannon said: “Introducing restrictions was an option that Irish Water hoped could be avoided because of the inevitable impact on homes and businesses.

“Placing night-time restrictions on homes and businesses is not something Irish Water want to have to do."

She added: "We are monitoring the situation, but the weather is not changing, the rain is not coming. Something else has to be done to protect water supply and avoid widespread outages in the autumn.”

There are over 20 water schemes across the country already on restrictions, and a national hosepipe ban remains in place.