Northern Ireland Water (NI Water) has urged farmers across the region to check their land and buildings for water leaks amid waning supplies and increased demand on resources.
According to NI Water, with cattle grazing outside, the supplies to field troughs are once again in demand, which can lead to an uptick in instances of water leaks.
The agency has reminded farmers to survey for leaks that may have developed over the course of winter, when water mains to paddocks had been switched off.
Head of water at NI Water, Paul Bryce said: “We know spring is an important time for our farming community, with many animals being put out to fields after a long winter. We are urging farmers to check their meters in advance of turning on troughs and other water sources.
“Once they have been turned on, check the meter again. If it is moving quickly, you will know you have a leak on your property. As farmers pay for their water, every leak is money down the drain for them.
“By checking their properties, outside taps, land, and troughs, leaks can be repaired quickly, which will avoid a big bill. A typical leak at a drinking trough can increase a farmer’s water bill by as much as £200 per week.
“Over 60% of our non-domestic customers are classified as farms, so it is a very important consumer group for us. On a dairy farm, livestock drinking water accounts for between 50% and 75% of the farm’s water usage.”
NI Water has advised farmers who find a leak on the farm to contact NI Water or a WaterSafe plumber for remedial action.
The water agency has also issued a number of tips to help farms avoid large water bills, including:
- Check meters on a regular basis. A higher reading may indicate a leak, which should be located and repaired as quickly as possible;
- Ensure you have a good understanding of the layout of pipework within your land;
- Consider mapping the line of the pipework, which can extend over several acres of land;
- Know where your stop valves are located;
- Ideally, install a number of stop valves to isolate water supply to disused areas of the farm, especially during the winter months;
- Check for and repair any leakage promptly to reduce water bills, which are a major liability for a working farm;
- Inspect remote troughs, which may not be used over the winter, particularly the exposed pipe leading into the trough; if cattle are inside, consider turning the supply to the trough off;
- Ensure all underground pipes are buried 750mm below ground level;
- Ensure any pipes within buildings are insulated;
- Examine the adequacy of storage in the event of a supply problem. NI Water recommends at least 24 hours storage.
