N. Ireland holds urgent meeting on water crisis

[December 30, 2010]  BELFAST, Northern Ireland (AP) -- Northern Ireland's government will hold an emergency meeting to address the country's mounting water crisis as tens of thousands of people remained without water for a ninth day.

Engineers are struggling to repair pipes that burst after the recent cold spell's sudden thaw.

Long lines formed Thursday at emergency water points, and Scotland trucked in bottled water for distribution to help families. Doctors are warning that a lack of clean water for drinking and washing could cause a health crisis.

Pressure is mounting on Northern Ireland Water, the company at the center of the crisis, to restore service.

Government ministers will discuss the possibility of bringing in more water tankers as officials say it could take several days to fix the problem.

[Associated Press]

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