Northern Ireland Water has published a statement confirming that planned industrial action by Trade Unions has now commenced, accompanied by advice on “alternative toilet arrangements”.

The company said that NI Water management and the unions have agreed procedures for addressing critical issues which present a risk to public health or vulnerable customers. 

NI Water warned that there may however be an impact on the services it provides which could result in interruptions to customers’ water supply over the Christmas period – customers are being advised to contact NI Water “in the normal way”.

The water company warned that there is also a significant risk that the quality of discharges from wastewater treatment works to water courses will be adversely affected.

Delays in response to problems likely

NI Water is anticipating:

• Problems at its Water Treatment Works over the Christmas holiday period, with potential deterioration in water quality;
• Customers in some areas may experience interruptions to supply and intermittent problems with their water pressure;
• Discharges to watercourses from some of its large Wastewater Treatment Works are likely to be adversely impacted;
• Customers are likely to encounter delays in response to problems that they report, including flooding, bursts and supply interruptions.

The company’s statement said its customers should be aware that there are likely to be lengthy delays before services can be restored. With call volumes to the Call Centre likely to be higher than usual, information available from the Call Centre and Web Site would also be limited, including on when services can be restored.

The water company’s explanation of the Industrial Action said the industrial action is impacting its normal holiday and out of hours cover used to manage emergency situations. While this does not mean that water supplies will be turned off, it does however mean that NI Water now has very limited in-house resources to operate and maintain its water and wastewater assets and infrastructure during this period. NI Water said that as a result its ability to mobilise a response to faults, bursts or water quality issues will be impacted.

 "seeking alternative toilet and sanitary arrangements in an unaffected area may also be possible"

The water company, which is currently maintaining piped supply, is asking its customers to consider conserving their supply and to use water sparingly.

On alternative water supplies, NI Water has recently issued bottled water to individuals on its Customer Care Register which could now be utilised, commenting “we will seek to maintain contact with those customers on the register should an incident develop.”

NI Water has also issued the following advice on alternative toilet arrangements, highlighting the gravity of the situation:

“Should supplies be interrupted for a prolonged period, we would encourage customers to conserve supplies and advise that drinking water is not needed for toilet flushing. Further, you could re-use water previously used for cooking or washing for flushing. We would advise seeking alternative toilet and sanitary arrangements in an unaffected area may also be possible. “

The strike action has started following the breakdown of talks between the water company, the unions, Northern Ireland’s minister for regional development Danny Kennedy, and the Labour Relations Agency.

More than 1,000 members of staff at NI Water’s 2,700 treatment works and pumping facilities are involved in the industrial action – the result of a dispute over plans by NI Water to change the current pension scheme. According to the GMB union, one of Water Group of Trade Unions which is coordinating the action, attempts by the government owned company to scrap the current pension scheme and bring in new proposals will cost many members up to £100 per month.

Alan Perry, GMB Regional Officer, said that over 1000 workers employed at NI Water are involved in the action after more than 90% backed a ballot organised by the unions representing staff.