RESIDENTS in Ardglass whose homes were damaged following a huge surge in water pressure at the start of July are furious they won’t be compensated.
The incident left homeowners with estimated repair bills running into thousands of pounds after water pipes burst, hot tanks cracked and bathroom shower fittings were blown off walls.
At the time, Northern Ireland Water insisted the increased pressure was at a level that should not have caused any problems to internal pipes and fittings. It was also adamant the pressure level was “well below industry maximum standards.”
The organisation has now confirmed that it won’t be making compensation payments to people whose homes were damaged which has left them furious.
In a letter to residents, NI Water said it does not accept that it was in any way negligent and that while it appreciates the matter will have caused both “distress and inconvenience,” it can’t accept liability for any costs incurred.
Some homeowners in the Kildare Street and Hill Street area whose properties were damaged last July have told Councillor Dermot Curran that they are angry at NI Water’s response.
He said they are upset that despite the water pressure being five times higher than normal, their insurance companies will be left to foot the bill, with increased premiums the inevitable knock-on effect.
“Plumbers who tested the water pressure confirmed it was significantly higher than normal. Despite this, NI Water won’t provide a penny in compensation to homeowners,” he declared.
“These people are ratepayers and do not deserve to be treated in this manner. I plan to raise their concerns with Department of Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy. They must surely be entitled to some form of compensation.”
A spokesman for NI Water said five letters were distributed to residents in relation to the water pressure incident in Ardglass, informing them that compensation would not be paid.
He also confirmed the organisation was carrying out essential upgrade works to the water supply network in the Ardglass area which led to a temporary increase in pressure last July.
“This increased water pressure was at a level that should not have caused any problems to internal water pipes and fittings. It was well below industry maximum standards. The vast majority of properties in Ardglass suffered no adverse effects whatsoever during this period,” the spokesman continued.
He added: “NI Water is not required to maintain any specific water pressure limit, although we do aim for a minimum limit. We appreciate the significant distress and inconvenience this incident caused, but are unable to accept liability for any costs incurred in this matter.”