28 June 2004
WATER QUALITY IN NORTHERN IRELAND CONTINUES TO IMPROVE
Minister of State, John Spellar, MP, today welcomed the publication of the 2003 Drinking Water Quality Report which indicates that 98.73% of all tests, carried out on samples taken from customers’ taps, complied with the regulatory standards during 2003.
The statutory report, which is required under the Water Quality Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1994, provides a summary of the quality of water supplied by Water Service during the period 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2003.
The Minister said: "The report shows an improvement on the 2002 compliance rate of 98.55% and that Water Service is on course to achieve its target of 99% compliance with the regulatory requirements, by 2006.
"Increased investment in treatment works and networks is essential to enable Water Service to match these high quality standards and in the period to 2006, Water Service plans to invest £220 million on upgrading the public water treatment and distribution systems.
"The protection of public health remains our highest priority and Water Service’s investment programme will ensure the continued improvement of compliance levels to meet the new Drinking Water Regulations, that came into effect from 1 January this year. Secure, long-term and sustained funding from water charges, when they are introduced in 2006, will allow the necessary investment that has started to be sustained."
During the period of the report, 98,922 tests were conducted on Water Service’s supplies.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
www.waterni.gov.uk
- Copies of the Drinking Water Quality Annual Report 2003 are available either from the Customer Service Units by calling 08457 440088, or on the Water Service website –
A public drinking water quality register is available for inspection at the Water Service's four main offices at Ballymena, Belfast, Craigavon and Londonderry. This is maintained and updated on a continuous basis. Members of the public can consult it for details of current water quality within their particular water supply zones.
For further media queries, contact Anne McGivern, DRD Information Office on 028 9054 0004.
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