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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.

  • Northern Ireland Water
  • Northern Ireland  Water - Drinking Water

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

  • Water - Consumer Council for Northern Ireland

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 Drinking Water Inspectorate for Northern Ireland (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, 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?'.

  • private water supply safety information

​​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 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.

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.

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:

  • Guidance for businesses re-opening after temporary closure

 

More useful links

  • Water
  • Safety at home
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Safety at home

  • Asbestos removal
  • Check your oil tank
  • Chemical safety in the home
  • Dealing with drinking water problems
  • Domestic gas installation and health and safety
  • Farm safety
  • Gas safety and carbon monoxide
  • Hot weather advice
  • How to reduce trips and falls
  • Staying warm in winter
  • Steps to reduce the risk of burst pipes
  • Your child's safety in the home

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If you have a comment or query about benefits, you will need to contact the government department or agency which handles that benefit.  Contacts for common benefits are listed below.

Carer's Allowance

Call 0800 587 0912
Email 
dcs.incomingpostteamdhc2@nissa.gsi.gov.uk

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Call 0800 587 2750 
Email 
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Call 0800 587 1377

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Contact your local Jobs & Benefits office

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Call 0800 587 0932

If your query is about another benefit, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

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If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

For queries about your identity check, email nida@nidirect.gov.uk and for queries about your certificate, email covidcertni@hscni.net.

For queries or advice about criminal record checks, email ani@accessni.gov.uk

Application and payment queries can be emailed to ema_ni@slc.co.uk

For queries or advice about employment rights, contact the Labour Relations Agency.

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For queries about:

  • Car tax, vehicle registration and SORN
    contact the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Swansea
     
  • Driver licensing and tests, MOT and vehicle testing
    contact the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA), Northern Ireland

If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

For queries about your identity check, email nida@nidirect.gov.uk.

 

For queries or advice about passports, contact HM Passport Office.

For queries or advice about Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs), including parking tickets and bus lane PCNs, email dcu@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk

For queries or advice about pensions, contact the Northern Ireland Pension Centre.

If you wish to report a problem with a road or street you can do so online in this section.

If you wish to check on a problem or fault you have already reported, contact DfI Roads.

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