Your water is safe to drink
25 September 2024 12:30
NI Water is aware that some of our customers who are supplied from Water Treatment Works sourcing water from Lough Neagh are experiencing taste and smell issues with their water supply.
This is related to increased algae levels in Lough Neagh which can produce naturally occurring organic compounds that may cause an unpleasant taste and smell even after going through our robust treatment process. These organic compounds are not harmful to health and the drinking water is safe to use as normal.
The water supply is rigorously tested in our laboratories where we can confirm that it is safe to drink. Storing tap water in the fridge before use may improve the taste and smell.
Alison McMullan, Drinking Water Regulation Manager at NI Water, comments:
“Our staff have been carrying out a number of tasks, including additional operational activities at our water treatment works, flushing out the pipes in our network and continued and increased water quality sampling in key areas. Water quality sampling is an important process as it enables us monitor water quality and therefore to provide reassurance to our customers, the Drinking Water Inspectorate and the Health Authorities, that the water remains safe to drink.
“These actions have gone some way to alleviating the situation, however, they cannot fully address and resolve the problem; this can only be done as the weather changes and the algae bloom disappears.
“The weather can have an impact on the formation of algae blooms and the potential for taste and odour related compounds to form. With the change in weather this week to cooler temperatures it is expected that the algae will start to naturally disperse within the Lough. We are confident that as the algae reduces in the Lough the situation will resolve and water taste and smell will return to normal for affected customers.”
You can contact us via webpage: https://www.niwater.com/contact-us/ or on our Social Media channels which are available, 8am-11pm, 7 days a week.
Please see here our link to the postcode search: https://www.niwater.com/current-service-updates/
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my water supplied from Lough Neagh?
Lough Neagh supplies 40.7% of the drinking water within Northern Ireland.
How do I find out if my water is supplied from Lough Neagh?
This information is available by clicking on the map below for information on water supply in that area.
Clicking Here and entering your postcode, will confirm the Water Quality Results for your area.
I’ve seen images on social media of green substances growing in water filters/water containers
Sometimes filter jugs, coffee machines and filters can be problematic if they have not been regularly cleaned or the filter has not been replaced in line with manufacturer’s instructions. It is also advised to keep these appliances out of direct sunlight and in a cool place.
What to do if I am still concerned?
NI Water would like to reassure customers that the water supplied from all our works, which includes water abstracted from Lough Neagh is safe to drink and use as normal.
If however, you or anyone in your household are unwell and have noticed a change in the quality of your water supply in either appearance/taste/odour, you can Contact Us via Webchat or on our Social Media channels which are available, 8am-11pm, 7 days a week.
You can also contact us by telephone on 03457 44 00 88, which is available 24/7.
Before getting in touch, you may wish to check there are no known issues in your area by Clicking Here and then entering your postcode;
If there is a known issue, you can keep informed of progress updates and expected resolution times by either visiting the Current Service Updates page, or by registering for our ‘Keeping you Informed’ service. Further information regarding this and how to register, can be found by Clicking Here