Hosepipe Ban Lifted In NI

A hosepipe ban in Northern Ireland is to be lifted at noon today, 19 July.

The ban was put in place as the demand for water remained above normal levels during the heatwave.

Sara Venning, Chief Executive Officer of NI Water, thanked the public for their "fantastic response".

She said: "We have seen demand for water decrease from three quarters of a billion litres per day, (some 30% above average) to near normal levels.

"This means our water treatment works, which were struggling to meet this exceptional demand, with large scale water supply interruptions imminent, are now coping comfortably with demand.  

"We would stress, however, that a continued focus on water conservation is essential. Ideally, we would like to see demand reduced still further or at least maintained at its present level to avoid the prospect of the ban having to be reintroduced. This is achievable if we continue to use water wisely.

"Many customers have adopted new habits and ways to conserve water in everyday life and we hope they will continue with these changes in their daily lives."

(CD/LM)