NI Water warning after freezing temperatures

Published Monday, 28 December 2009

Northern Ireland Water have recieved over 4000 calls from customers reporting burst pipes and leaks as a result of the very cold weather.

Omagh and Dungannon, Co Tyrone, as well as Ballymoney, Co Antrim, and Claudy, Limavady and Dungiven, Co Derry, were among the areas hardest hit.

Northern Ireland Water said due to the significant number of bursts within private properties, the supply network was experiencing unprecedented demand as water continues to run within the affected buildings.

All keyholders were urged to check their premises for leaks and bursts and to take immediate action to repair them.

A running tap can loose up to 3,000 gallons of water a day.

A major incident team has been set up in NI Water's head office to co-ordinate response teams and work is ongoing to find and repair burst watermains.

A spokesperson for NI Water added "We are grateful to customers for their continued patience while we try to restore supplies across Northern Ireland and we apologise to customers for any inconvenience. All that can be done in the current weather conditions is being done."

Meanwhile, emergency services chiefs have been criticised for their response to the sub-zero temperatures which has left so many properties flooded and snow-covered minor roads in a dangerous state.

East Derry SDLP MLA John Dallat said questions had to be asked about how government departments implement emergency plans during the winter months.

He said: "Very few parts of the North have escaped the big freeze that has hit Ireland over the past week. Many businesses are opening after Christmas to find their water supplies cut off, while our roads are in a treacherous state.

"Any anger felt by the public should not be directed towards the workers who are working around the clock to restore some degree of normality to our infrastructure, particularly in rural areas.

"However, it would appear that whatever system is meant to be in place has once again failed everyone.

Meanwhile Northern Ireland Water are asking customers to act on the following advice:

Customers should not run taps unnecessarily.
If you do experience a burst on your property, please turn water off immediately at the stop valve and take action to have the burst repaired
Protect your pipes - place a small heater near pipes which are liable to freeze and open your loft to allow warm air to circulate.

If you notice any bursts or 'runs of water' please report these immediately to NI Water by calling 08457 440088.

Comments

1 Comments

gerard duffy in plumbridge omagh wrote (878 days ago):

NI Water is a disgrace. Our water was off from 5pm Sat to 11am Monday .. I called the helpline 8 times .. on Sunday morning I was in a constant queue for over 40 minutes and hung up. Told nothing but lies, eventually staff told me I requested my water to be turned off! Finally on Monday I made a firm phonecall and an engineer called to my house, he simply connected me to another supply within minutes. But from Saturday to Monday nothing was done and I was told nothing but lies, from the resevoir being empty, bad roads, its getting dark you know, we have alot of homes off, you never called previously, to me cancelling my supply. This is a joke!