NI Water issue update on reported taste and smell of chlorine from tap water

Following a query from the Derry Journal, a spokesperson said that the “quality and safety” of drinking water is a “priority.”

“NI Water would like to reassure our customers that our number one priority is the quality and safety of the drinking water we provide.

“Water samples are analysed by a team of scientists based in laboratories in Altnagelvin and Belfast, providing NI Water with its own in-house scientific expertise and knowledge. We take samples at the water treatment works, at service reservoirs, and at customer taps, to monitor drinking water quality and compliance with the drinking water regulations.

“We are aware that a small number of customers have been reporting a chlorine taste and smell in their drinking water supply.

“As part of the normal drinking water treatment process, chlorine is added to ensure that the quality of the drinking water is maintained throughout our network.

“While the chlorine levels in the water are well within normal levels and are not a cause for concern, we fully appreciate on occasion, they can make the water taste and smell different and we apologise for any inconvenience that this has caused.

“NI Water staff, over the past week, have been checking the water quality and have been flushing the system, to increase the turnover of water in the network. We have seen the chlorine taste and odour experienced by some customers reduce as a result of this work and expect this to continue over the coming days.

“NI Water would like to reassure our customers that water leaving the Water Treatment Works is monitored continually to ensure that the chlorine level at the treatment works and throughout the distribution system remains within set limits. The chlorine level in the water leaving the works has remained within these set limits at all times.

“We would like to thank those customers affected for their patience while this matter is being resolved.”