13 February 2002

WATER STORAGE LEVELS SHOW SIGNS OF IMPROVEMENT

Recent periods of heavy rainfall and contingency measures taken by Water Service have resulted in an improvement in the water storage situation across Northern Ireland, Regional Development Minister, Peter Robinson, said today.

Overall storage in all DRD Water Service’s impounding reservoirs and lakes (excluding Lough Neagh) is now at 75 percent, which is a 16 percent increase on the mid-January figure.

Mr Robinson said: "The Silent Valley reservoirs have shown a significant improvement in storage levels from the previously reported 34 percent to a current level of 57 percent.

"As well as the increased rainfall, the contingency measures taken by Water Service to increase supplies from other areas and reduce demand on the Silent Valley reservoirs have also played a part enabling the storage levels to increase."

Reservoirs in the south-eastern region have also shown a marked improvement since mid-January. Seagahan Reservoir and the Spelga and Fofanny reservoirs have recovered and are now full.

The Minister said: "I welcome the increase in storage levels in the Silent Valley reservoirs which will reduce the risk of supply difficulties later this year. However, the reservoirs are still well below normal levels and I would continue to ask customers to use water wisely.

"Tips on water efficiency are included in a leaflet which will be issued to all households later this month."

Met Office figures indicate that the above average rainfall will continue until at least 17 February 2002.

For further information contact Clare Baxter in DRD Press Office on 028 9054 0068.

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