NI Water: Minister’s tap water hit by ‘unpleasant’ taste

People in areas such as Magherafelt, Castledawson, Draperstown, Ballinderry and Cookstown have reported issues with their water supply.

Water and sewerage services in Northern Ireland are handled by NI Water, a government-owned company which is funded by the Department for Infrastructure.

NI Water last week said the taste and smell issues related to naturally occurring compounds which are not harmful to health.

O’Dowd said the issue was a “timely reminder to us all if we needed it” of the need to “tackle the years and decades of neglect of Lough Neagh”.

“It’s clear to us all now, abundantly clear to us all, that the abuse of our natural environment over decades is coming back now to haunt us,” he told assembly members.

The minister said NI Water had confirmed to him “that the water coming out of our taps is safe to drink and use”.

“My own home was impacted by this. I use the water in my home,” he said.

“I accept that there is an unpleasant taste and smell for drinking water purposes, and some people may wish to have bottled water or other water for that purpose. But for all other purposes, the water is safe and it is safe for drinking as well.”