Northern Ireland water shortage prompts health fears

With the onset of a winter vomiting bug, there are now fears the situation could develop into a public health emergency if steps are not taken to guarantee water supplies.

Northern Ireland Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy is to talk with officials today to consider what action is needed to deal with the situation.

Tens of thousands of homes and businesses are still without supplies. Some families have not had fresh running water for more than a week.

Northern Ireland Water, which is responsible for water supplies in the region, has said it is unable to say when supplies will be fully restored.

Northern Ireland Water’s Paddy Cullen told ITN: “We’re probably going to have to move very shortly to a situation where we’re going to have to start alternating supply – which means that people will be off supply for a certain period of time to allow the reservoir to fill up, and keep the critical services like the hospitals and those sort of situations, keep them fully supplied as possible.”

More bottled water is due to be distributed in parts of Belfast, one of the hardest-hit areas. Arrangements are also being made to place tankers across the province to help families.

People with young families have not been able to flush toilets and wash, never mind get drinking water. Peter Maguire, Newry GP

Newry GP Dr Peter Maguire warned: “This is really now a public health emergency.

“Northern Ireland Water has been shambolic in their response. People with young families have not been able to flush toilets and wash themselves, never mind get access to drinking water.”

Northern Ireland Water’s Liam Mulholland said: “This may go on for another short period, but we are doing our best to keep it as short as possible to get those reservoir levels up and provide water to our customers.”

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness stressed that the priority “must be to see supplies restored and burst pipes in homes repaired”.

In November, Channel 4 News reported that temperatures as low as -9.2C had been reported in Lough Fea, Northern Ireland.

For more information on water supplies in Northern Ireland, see the Northern Ireland Water website