Ongoing Water Supply Disruption
19 January 2015 20:42
After reporting an improving situation for customers through Monday 19 January, NI Water regrets to report that further problems at Lough Bradan Water Treatment Works will result in continued disruption to water supplies in West Tyrone. This is a result of ongoing industrial action.
Areas that may again be affected include: Castlederg, Drumquin, Kesh, Killen, Lack, Dromore, Ederney, Irvinestown, Lisnarick, Clonelly, Drumskinny
Other areas that continue to suffer supply disruption are:
Omagh:
Greencastle, Mountfield, Sixmilecross, Carrickmore, Glenhull, Loughmacrory, Rousky, Beragh, Garvaghy, Eskragh and Seskinore,
L/Derry:
Claudy, Dungiven, Feeny, Gortnahey, Park.
The number of properties currently off supply is approximately is 9,000. All customers in the Draperstown and Pomeroy areas who have suffered disruptions to their water supply in recent days should now be back on supply.
NI Water has received approximately 600 no water calls since midnight.
NI Water is working to minimise disruption to customers’ supplies and where appropriate will be providing alternative supplies. The location of the alternative water supplies (water from plastic tanks) will be available via the postcode search on niwater.com or by contacting us on 08457 440088. Customers will need to bring their own containers to collect water from the tanks. Customers should boil the water before use.
NI Water fully recognises this is a frustrating experience for our customers, and can assure them we are doing everything possible to restore water supplies. NI Water would like to once again thank our customers for their continued patience whilst this problem is being resolved. We appeal to customers to use water wisely and help conserve the remaining water supplies.
NI Water has mobilised all resources at its disposal to deal with this latest incident, however, due to the limited resources available to us, as a result of industrial action, our response has been restricted.
Unfortunately though, with 26,000kms of watermains, 15,000kms of sewers and literally thousands of pumping stations and treatment works to monitor, it was virtually inevitable there will be interruptions to services to our customers.
NI Water remains on high alert with a Major Incident regime in place and we are committed to continued engagement with Trade Unions in an effort to resolve this dispute. The company would stress once more the key demand that pension reform be delayed is not within its gift to provide. It believes dialogue rather than causing disruption represents the best way forward.
Customers can visit niwater.com for further advice and updates or call our contact centre on 08457 440088
Ends
All media enquiries to NI Water press office at press.office@niwater.com or call 02890 357695 or 07881525804 (out of hours)