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Dealing with drinking water problems

Drinking water in Northern Ireland is of a very high quality. However, on rare occasions, things may go wrong. Find out how the quality of water is maintained and what to do if you are worried.

Problems with your water supply?

Although our drinking water is generally of a very high quality you may now and again have a problem with it. If you do, you should contact Northern Ireland Water. NI Water is the sole provider of water and sewerage services in Northern Ireland, with over 780,000 domestic, agricultural, commercial and business customers.

If you want to speak to someone directly in NI Water about anything from conservation to flooding, then call Waterline on: 0845 744 0088. There are also more contact details on the NI Water website.

The Consumer Council might also be able to help. It represents consumers on water and sewerage matters.

Private water supplies

If your drinking water is not supplied by NI Water but comes from a private water supply, such as a borehole, well or spring, then you should contact the Drinking Water Inspectorate for Northern Ireland (DWI (NI)) or the Environmental Health department of your local council regarding any problems.

The DWI (NI) is responsible for monitoring private water supplies which serve two or more properties, or a commercial premises.

Your local council, on the other hand, will normally lift a sample on request from a private water supply which serves a single private dwelling.

Is your private water supply safe?

Further guidance and advice on your private water supply is available from an information leaflet entitled 'Is your private water supply safe?'.

Causes of changes in your drinking water

Any one of the following could cause a change in the smell or taste of your drinking water:

  • the use of chlorine as a disinfectant
  • seasonal changes
  • a change in your water supply
  • moving from one area to another
  • your plumbing

Chlorine, smell or taste

Chlorine is a very effective disinfectant which has been used to treat drinking water for over 100 years. It is harmless when used in very small amounts, and is commonly used in various brands of sterilisers for baby feeding bottles and equipment.

To ensure the distribution system remains free from microbial contamination small amounts of chlorine should remain in the water supplied to your tap. This may result in an occasional smell of chlorine when you turn your tap on or a slight taste of chlorine in the water. Chlorine taste and odours should dissipate if the water is left to stand in the fridge for a few hours. Boiling the water will also remove the chlorine.

Discoloured water

Burst mains or increases in demand can cause mains deposits to enter the water supply. This may change the colour of your drinking water. While they are normally harmless it should be reported to NI Water.

Lead

Many houses built before 1970 still have service pipes and internal plumbing comprised of lead. If you have lead pipes in your house it is possible that lead may be present in your drinking water.

The best solution is to replace your part of the lead service pipe with copper or plastic pipes. You can then request NI Water to replace their part between the water main and the boundary of your property. If you are concerned you should contact NI Water.

Pesticides and nitrates

Rivers and ground waters may contain traces of pesticide as a result of agricultural use (pest control on crops) and non-agricultural use (herbicide for weed control on highways and railways). NI Water treat water for drinking to ensure it meets water quality standards.

Looking after water in your home

NI Water has a leaflet - 'Looking after water in your home - the consumer's guide'. You can access it by clicking on the link below.

More useful links

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