Drinking water quality ‘remains high’ across NI

Drinking water quality remains high across Northern Ireland, according to a report.

The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI), which is responsible for regulating drinking water quality, has published its annual report.

It states that drinking water quality in Northern Ireland is of a high standard.

Northern Ireland Water Limited (NI Water) is required to undertake a stringent monitoring programme to verify that the tap water it supplies to consumers meets all the stringent quality standards set by the drinking water regulations.

During 2024, over 100,000 tests were completed.

As outlined in the DWI report, the overall compliance for the mains water supply was 99.88%.

The results are based on samples taken from water treatment works, service reservoirs and consumers’ taps.

Quality of drinking water

Welcoming publication of the report, Minister for the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), Andrew Muir said: “The quality of our drinking water is vital for public health, the hospitality sector, farming and the economy.

“The DWI has an important role to play in providing the Northern Ireland public with independent assurance that their water supply is safe and clean.

“Lough Neagh, which provides 40% of our drinking water in Northern Ireland, is suffering significant water quality impacts.

“A collaborative, science-led, sustained effort is required to reverse this crisis and safeguard this valuable drinking water source.”

In 2024, blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) blooms in drinking water sources continued to pose a potential risk to public drinking water quality.

Water treatment processes are in place to manage this risk and ensure the safety of the drinking water, according to the report.

However, two serious events occurred in September 2024 regarding the acceptability to consumers of the water supplied from Castor Bay and Moyola Water Treatment Works, both of which draw water from Lough Neagh.

“It is important that NI Water manage risks within the water supply system and this should be supported by an appropriately funded investment programme,” the report said.

“During 2024, DWI continued to work with all stakeholders to ensure the effective prioritisation of investment in drinking water quality through the PC21 process, which has been extended to include 2027.”

Private water supplies

A small percentage of water is also supplied from private water supplies in Northern Ireland, the report outlines.

A number of these supplies serve public buildings, such as hospitals and health care premises, universities, and businesses such as food and drink manufacturers, hotels and restaurants.

Extensive monitoring is undertaken of registered private water supplies by the DWI (in conjunction with local councils), with almost 13,000 tests conducted in 2024, it said.

The report published indicates that the overall compliance figure of 99.12% at private water supplies is slightly lower than that reported for the public water supply.

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