Continuing warm weather sees low levels in reservoirs and the introduction of water rationing in rural areas.
Prolonged drought across Ireland has resulted in the introduction of restrictions on water use in many counties.
Local authorities have appealed to the public to use water only for essential purposes.
Areas outside of Dublin are the worst affected with counties Clare, Meath and Wicklow experiencing the greatest difficulty. A council official in Dublin has said that reservoir levels were adequate with no real danger of a shortage. Dundalk is one of the worst affected towns with rationing in place since May and water only available between 8 am and 5 pm.
In Northern Ireland, the Silent Valley reservoir in County Down is said to be only half full. Extra supplies of water are being taken from Lough Neagh.
The greatest threat posed by water shortages is to farming. Milk yields are down for dairy farmers as a lack of rain has caused a shortage of grass for cattle. There are fears that farmers may be forced to sell cattle that they can not feed. The dry conditions have also had disastrous effects on crops.
Some relief may be on the way as the Met Office say that there was rain in the north today with more promised overnight.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 29 July 1984. The reporter is David Pate.
