NI Water responds to Woodburn water pollution claims

Last week, an image of a cloudy water sample, allegedly collected at Paisley Road, was posted on social media.

“NI Water can assure customers that water quality issues experienced by a customer in Paisley Road are not in any way associated with the ongoing work by Infrastrata at the Woodburn site. Paisley Road is not served from Dorisland Water Treatment Works,” a spokesperson said.

“Water can become cloudy if there has been an interruption to the water supply. Any customer experiencing problems with their water can phone our Waterline number on 03457 440088 for advice and to arrange a visit by an NI Water technician if necessary.”

Meanwhile, Stop the Drill and NI Water both gave presentations to Antrim and Newtownabbey Council on Monday evening.

Following the meeting, Stop the Drill criticised an assertion by NI Water that two reservoirs in the area had been taken out of service.

“This is an admission that NI Water do not trust that the Woodburn site is ‘zero discharge’,” a statement from the campaign group read.

Responsding, a Northern Ireland Water offical said: “The security and safety of the public water supply is NI Water’s top priority. The company would not carry out or permit any activity which would jeopardise the quality of the water delivered to our customers.

“All requests for activities within the catchment area which we own are assessed to ensure there will be no residual risk to the drinking water supply.

“We have carried out a detailed analysis of the risks to the public water supply in the Dorisland catchment.

“There are 6 impounding reservoirs which hold water before it flows to Dorisland impounding reservoir, prior to entering the treatment works. The exploratory drill site has been taken out of the catchment area by taking 2 raw water reservoirs, the Woodburn South reservoirs, out of the supply catchment.

“As a precaution and to assist with allying public fears, NI Water has put increased monitoring of raw water in place at all reservoirs and at the treatment works (with automatic shutdown).”