NI Water Statement

03 January 2011 11:14

NI WATER PRESS STATEMENT
The number of properties without water across the North now stands at under 500, NI Water has reported. This a considerable reduction from the 1,000 reported yesterday evening.

In the East of the province the figure has reduced to 250 customers with a lower number in the West.

Given the reducing numbers of customers affected NI Water is now in the process of calling out to those customers who have contacted them on more than one occasion and would urge any customers still without a water supply to contact the call centre on 08457 440088.

There remains a considerable demand for water. This appears to be caused by leaks on customers’ private installations. NI Water has re-iterated its appeal to customers to check their premises for any damage to their own private plumbing infrastructure and to repair this as soon as possible.

“Not only does failure to do so add to the water supply problems for other customers but we have also seen the consequences of these internal bursts at properties such as local schools where serious damage has been caused to equipment and the buildings themselves”, a spokesperson added.

Some 500 staff remain on the ground dealing with those properties experiencing a loss of supply.

- isolating the water supply to customers in instances where leakage has been detected on the customers’ private infrastructure. This is being done to reduce the near 40% additional water, compared to normal levels, being wasted through leakage.

- continuing to repair bursts on the main water supply system which are impacting on reservoir levels and;

- dealing with air locks in the water system.

Although there is an improving situation emerging in relation to reservoir levels it is expected that a limited night time curtailment of supplies will continue this evening (Monday). Details of the areas affected will be posted on the NI Water website later this afternoon www.niwater.com

The customers, who have their supply constrained tonight, will have had access to mains water in the preceding twelve hours. The reason NI Water constrains supplies at night, as opposed to during the day, is to minimise inconvenience to customers.

Reservoir levels in the greater Belfast area remain low. The focus is on continuing to build up water supplies in the Belfast reservoirs ahead of Tuesday’s return to work.