Thousands of islanders on Achill island in Co Mayo have been without water for the past five days.
The island's population of 3,500 surged over the weekend, when there was almost full occupancy of holiday homes and accommodation.
Snow and frost caused pipes connected to the main water supply to leak and there is no emergency reservoir to meet the additional need. Mayo County Council is to begin work on a new reservoir this spring but in the meantime the people of Achill are left with a disrupted supply, which is being rationed on a phased basis.
Local people say Achill had the heaviest fall of snow in 40 years last week. Achill-based Fine Gael councillor Pat Kilbane said it was a difficult Christmas: "Transport came to almost a standstill in the snow and ice last week and hundreds of emigrants were home for the Christmas holidays. It was a nightmare for people trying to get to Knock airport and Dublin ports."