NI Water: “We need help from our customers to reduce demand”

With the hot weather and people holidaying at home, demands outstripping supply

Sprinkler
Author: Chelsie KealeyPublished 20th Jul 2021

There are fresh concerns for water supply as temperatures in Northern Ireland continue to soar.

The ercury is set to reach 29 °C in some places on Wednesday with the sunshine showing no signs of disappearing as the mini heatwave continues.

With the hot weather, and people holidaying at home the demand for water is continuing to outstrip supply.

Maynard Cousely, water supply senior manager at NI Water, has urged people to use their water wisely or risk losing pressure or supply.

He said: "We need to ensure everyone has sufficient water supply for hygiene, for daily use and essential purposes.

“The unnecessary use of water, i.e. washing of cars, watering lawns, using sprinklers etc is putting the water supply of your own household and that of your neighbours at risk.

“If everyone uses the water, they actually need for essential purposes then there will be plenty for everyone.

“Northern Ireland Water has maximised the volume of water we can produce through our treatment plants.

“We need help from our customers to reduce demand.”

“This issue we’re dealing with at the moment isn’t a shortage of raw water but rather a high demand to treat it quickly enough and treat it through our distribution network.

“The water that comes from taps goes through a lengthy and intricate cleaning process via our water treatment works.

“At the moment they’re all working to capacity and we cannot treat the water any faster.

“So, If everyone works together and immediately stops the unnecessary use of water for example not leaving the sprinklers on etc.

“The water supply to everyone will be restored and normal supply will return.”

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