Hose pipe ban enforced

Hose pipe ban enforced

4 July 2018

AS the district continues to bathe in a glorious heatwave, a hose pipe ban imposed by Northern Ireland Water is likely to remain in place.

Scorching temperatures — more akin to the Mediterranean — forced NI Water to impose the ban which was last introduced almost 25 years ago and at this stage applies to domestic consumers only.

NI Water says its engineers are working round the clock to ensure there is no interruption to supply with the hose pipe ban coinciding with low water levels at Spelga Dam in the heart of the Mournes.

Levels are so low in places that some roads and a bridge that are normally submerged and have not been seen for quite some time are now clearly visible. The bridge is normally under several metres of water.

NI Water chief executive, Sarah Venning, said the company’s water treatment operators are working round the clock, with its plants manned on a 24-hour basis.

“We have network technicians who are working to make sure that any burst is found and fixed and also so we can move water across from different parts of the network,” she explained.

NI Water estimates that 700 million litres of water are being put into the network, around 25% more than usual. It says there is plenty of untreated water, but the problem is that customers are using it faster than it can be treated.

Thanking the public for its assistance in helping to reduce water usage, Ms Venney warned that demand is still 30% higher than normal.

“We would like to thank all our customers who are working with us to limit their water usage. However, demand remains much higher than normal, particularly during peak times, so we are still struggling to get water around the system quickly enough,” she continued.

“By helping us, you are in fact helping yourself, as the ultimate penalty for using water unnecessarily is not a fine, it is the heightened risk of widespread supply interruptions.”

The chief executive said the company continues to maximise water production and is grateful to dedicated staff who are working continuously to maintain supplies.

Ms Venning added: “We have also been aided by a wonderful response from business who have supplied tankers to augment our own fleet enabling us to service reservoirs most at risk.”

To help conserve water, customers are being told to consider having a shower rather than a bath, or to turn off the tap when brushing their teeth or shaving to help reduce the high demand on the water supply system.

Appealing to people to use water wisely, NI Water officials insist the move is not aimed at putting a dampener on them enjoying soaring temperatures which have reached the high 20s in some parts.

NI Water says the hot weather has seen an increase in the demand for water across the Province explaining the public can play a major part by helping to reduce demand. 

The company says it would normally have expected to see a rise in water usage, particularly in rural areas where, for example, farms need more water for animal welfare. 

They say there has also been increased usage in popular local tourist areas, with officials encouraging consumers to think carefully about the use of water around homes and gardens.

As the heatwave is predicted to continue, NI Water has issued a number of water saving tips which it hopes people will include in their daily routines.

And, as the weather continues to leave everyone baking hot, keeping a jug of water in the fridge instead of running the tap until the water goes cold is suggested, alongside only filling the kettle with the amount of water required for that hot cuppa.