Belfast , Northern Ireland ( CNN ) -- Someone must be held responsible for a `` shambolic '' response to a water crisis that has left thousands without running water , one of Northern Ireland 's top politicians said Thursday . Speaking after an emergency meeting of power-sharing ministers in Belfast , First Minister Peter Robinson said the government water company 's efforts to restore water supplies to tens of thousands of homes was `` shambolic '' and `` ineffective . '' He said a review would now be carried out by ministers and hinted at action against Northern Ireland Water 's top executives . `` People must assess their own position , and of course if people do n't assess their own position the review will look at where responsibility lies and decisions will be taken on the foot of that , '' said Robinson . Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness was also highly critical of the response , calling it `` totally unacceptable behaviour by an arm's-length body '' . `` We are not prepared to accept this treatment on behalf of citizens , '' he said . `` ... Under no circumstances are we going to stand here and make excuses for a body that has failed so miserably . '' Northern Ireland Water said Thursday it could be early next week before all customers are reconnected . Up to 60,000 homes and businesses are experiencing water disruption , the company said in a written statement Thursday . Of those , 6,000 have lacked running water since Monday . However , on Tuesday some residents reported they had not had water for nine days . `` The numbers on a curtailed supply will vary from between 3,500 to 60,000 at any given time , '' the statement said . `` NI Water will continue to rotate supplies so figures will increase and decrease as this process is continued in order to protect reservoir levels . '' Northern Ireland Water has said the `` unprecedented problems '' were caused by a rapid thaw , with a huge number of pipes bursting after a dramatic change in temperature -- from minus-16 to 10 degrees Celsius ( 3 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit ) `` within a matter of hours . '' Company officials have also complained about a lack of investment in the water infrastructure over the years . The company said it had increased the supply of water to its highest level ever -- from 600 million liters per day to 850 million liters per day ( 158 million gallons to 224 million gallons ) . `` This increase in demand is to a great degree as a result of leakage from bursts on private properties , '' the statement said . Doctors are warning of an increasing public health risk if the water shortages continue . Two hospitals have experienced supply problems . Emergency supplies were being made available at locations across the province , including recreation centers where those without running water were being offered free showers . The Scottish government has sent 160,000 liters ( 42,000 gallons ) of bottled water to Northern Ireland after supplies ran out . Ahead of the meeting of ministers on Thursday , Ulster Unionist Party deputy leader John McCallister described the situation as `` Third World and horrendous . '' He added : `` If the executive at Stormont ( the Belfast government ) is n't able to deal with this , the UK government will have to take over -- that 's how bad things are . '' In the Republic of Ireland , hundreds of thousands had supplies cut off or restricted , again as a result of burst pipes after the thaw . Repair crews worked to fix leaks , and mobile water supplies were being sent to the worst-hit areas . The Irish government said Thursday night most parts of the country would see a resumption of normal water supply within the next two days , but in the capital , Dublin , restrictions were expected to remain in place until January 10 . Irish Minister for the Environment John Gormley said significant progress was being made across the country to deal with water leaks and stoppages . It was also announced restrictions on water supplies were to be eased in most areas Friday night to facilitate New Year 's Eve celebrations .
Government officials say the ' water company failed ` ` miserably '' The Echo ' says up to 100 customers died . Some have not had running water since before Christmas . It could be next week before this is resolved .