Close to 30,000 residents of Navan town and its environs yesterday spent their second day without water, due to a major burst in the mains supply.
The break in supply happened on Monday afternoon to a 30.5cm main which takes water from the Proudstown reservoir. Bottled water has sold out in the town as people used it to wash, flush toilets and make food.
Meath County Council had to suspend repair works temporarily because of a danger of subsidence at the scene. However, it was hopeful to be able to seal the water mains in question and resume supply today.
There was a constant stream of fire engines to Our Lady's Hospital as fire fighters pumped water into the water tower supplying the hospital. A Health Service Executive spokesperson said there had been no impact on hospital services. Tankers were deployed to distribute water, but this was hampered by the lack of available tankers. This is the latest serious break in water supply to the town and a programme of replacing asbestos cement mains pipes is under way.