Dealing with drinking water problems
Drinking water in Northern Ireland is of 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
If there is a problem with your water supply, you should contact Northern Ireland Water. It is the sole provider of water and sewerage services in Northern Ireland.
The Consumer Council might also be able to help. It represents consumers on water and sewerage matters. The Drinking Water Inspectorate for Northern Ireland (DWI(NI)) provides independent assurance of the quality of drinking water provided by Northern Ireland Water.
Private water supplies
If your drinking water is not supplied by Northern Ireland Water but comes from a private water supply, such as a borehole, well or spring, you should contact the DWI (NI) or the Environmental Health department of your local council.
DWI (NI) is responsible for monitoring private water supplies which serve two or more properties, public premises or a commercial premises.
Your local council will normally lift a sample, when asked, from a private water supply which serves a single private home.
To find out more about the potential risks to your single private well supply and to help identify measures you can take to reduce the risks and improve the quality of your well go to the Single Private Well Application to complete the short assessment.
Further guidance and advice on your private water supply is available in the leaflet '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, taste or smell
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 make sure the distribution system remains free from microbial contamination, small amounts of chlorine should stay 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 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 Northern Ireland Water.
Lead
Many houses built before 1970 still have service pipes and internal plumbing made from lead. If you have lead pipes in your house it is possible that lead may be present in your drinking water. If you are concerned that you may have lead pipework, or would like your drinking water checked for lead, contact Northern Ireland Water to request a lead sample to be taken at your property.
Further information on lead pipes is available at:
The best solution is to replace your part of the lead service pipe with copper or plastic pipes. You can ask NI Water to replace their part between the water main and the boundary of your property. If you are concerned you should contact Northern Ireland 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). Northern Ireland Water treats water for drinking to make sure it meets water quality standards.
Petroleum, diesel, solvent taste or smell
This type of taste or smell can be associated with spills of chemicals or fuels (such as heating oils, petrol or diesel) on the ground near your water pipes. If you notice a petrol-like taste or smell to your water, contact Northern Ireland Water.
Further information on what to do if there is a fuel spill or leak is available at:
Looking after water in your home
You can read more about protecting your domestic water supply in the leaflet 'Looking after water in your home'.
Guidance for businesses re-opening after closure
Find out what you need to do if you are re-opening your business after a period of closure. If you are responsible for a business and the water supply has not been used for a while, as part of your planning for re-opening, read the following guidance: