Skip to content Accesskeys Newsroom

Water services

Approximately 786,000 domestic and commercial properties are connected to the water supply in Northern Ireland. 625milion litres of high quality drinking water is supplied daily to customers.

Water quality

Northern Ireland Water works hard to ensure that the water you receive is of the highest quality. However, if you are concerned about the quality of your supply, you should conatct NI Water who will take samples for analysis if appropriate.

Responsibility for pipes

NI Water and customers share responsibility for the pipework that connect water mains to properties:

  • NI Water is generally responsible for the mains in the street, the pipe that runs from the mains to the stop tap at the boundary of the site and the stop tap itself
  • the customer is responsible for the pipework between the stop tap and the property and the plumbing inside the property

Interruptions to your water supply

NI Water aims to supply an adequate and continuous supply of safe drinking water to all customers but sometimes the supply has to be turned off for maintenance work. If the interruption to the supply is due to last for more than four hours, you will receive at least 48 hours written notice.

Sometimes a burst main or other problem can disrupt the supply and due to the unforeseen nature of the incident, it is not possible to give advance notice. You can get more information on unplanned interruptions on the Waterline:

  • phone: Waterline on 0845 744 0088

Where the supply is interrupted for more than 24 hours, NI Water will provide alternative supplies to affected customers.

Sometimes NI Water turns off sections of the mains network as part of the regular programme for checking for leaks. However, this is usually done overnight and usually lasts for less than four fours to cause minimum disruption.

Find more details on water supply interruptions due to bursts or planned maintenance:

You can use the link below to report a leak online:

Getting connected to the public water supply or sewerage system

NI Water’s Developer Services Team is responsible for the provision of services associated with all aspects of development including first time service appraisal, diversions, extensions to the watermain distribution system and sewer network, watermains in new development and adoption of sewerage systems.

Customer Care Register (including Critical Care)

NI Water provides essential services for all customers throughout Northern Ireland. for older consumers, those who have a serious medical condition or need extra help for any other reason.

You need to join the Customer Care Register to get the extra free services you or anyone in your household would like to receive:

More useful links