Major water shortages in Northern Ireland have seen people with jobs in environmental health called into action this week.
A rapid thaw after the recent icy conditions caused pipes to burst and disrupted supplies, leaving roughly 44,000 people in more than 70 towns and cities without running water.
Residents in some areas have had no drinking water for eight days and Northern Ireland Water, the government-owned utility company, has been criticised for failing to foresee the problem and put necessary measures in place.
Kieran Doherty, director of environmental health in Coleraine, urged people to check on elderly people and neighbours that may be vulnerable during the crisis.
He told BBC News: "In real terms people have been without water for four or five days, which makes it difficult to have the lifestyle we expect."
Coleraine Borough Council is providing temporary drinking water and washing facilities at the town's leisure centre.
Peter Maguire, a GP based near Newry, described the situation as "a public health emergency".
Posted by Oliver Mycock
