Burst pipes and increased demand has led to water shortages across Ireland as the country faces continued snow and freezing temperatures.

Limerick County Council has said heavy rainfall and a rise in temperatures have led to a thaw in many parts of the county overnight and this today (January 12).

The local authority has urged customers to conserve water to the maximum extent possible but added that interruptions in supply were 'inevitable' over the coming days.

Limerick's senior engineer, Donal Brennan, said: "Customers throughout the county can expect interruptions in supply over the coming days.

"Council crews are continuing their efforts to maintain supplies and the public are asked to promptly repair any leaks within their premises.

"We will continue to ensure that disruption to public water supplies is kept to a minimum and supplies are restored as soon as practicable."

While the shortages continue the county council will provide water at static standpipes in various locations.

Meanwhile, Dublin City Council has also called on the public, businesses, schools and community to conserve water.

The council said water levels are at a 'critically low level' while demand was at an all-time high.

A council spokesman said: "The ground will move as the thaw sets in during the week and this will cause further damage and breakages to the water mains, resulting in increased loss of water.

"We will be reducing pressures throughout the system in order to conserve supplies, we will try to maintain pressures during peak demand periods but will reduce pressures at other times.

"Localised temporary disruptions to supply may be experienced by consumers in all areas - while every effort will be made to maintain supplies at periods of peak demand this will not always be possible."

Luke Walsh