NI Water is calling for urgent action from everyone to reduce their water usage immediately following an amber warning for heat.

The water company is asking customers to reduce unnecessary use to protect supplies, saying that if everyone “simply uses the water they actually need, there will be plenty for everyone.”

According to NI Water, demand is currently outstripping supply due to the hot weather and people holidaying at home – and the company needs to ensure everyone has sufficient water for hygiene and daily use.

Des Nevin, Director of Customer Operations, commented:

“If demand continues at this level it will lead to failures in our network and some customers will lose supply or suffer low pressure. A number of customers over the past few days are already experiencing this, especially those on high ground.

“On Monday 19th July, we put 723 million litres of water into our distribution system, this is over 145 million litres more than normal, equivalent to 1.8million baths!

“We are asking our customers to help us, especially over the next few days when temperatures continue to be high. We know from the increase in our night usage some customers are leaving sprinklers and hoses on overnight, please stop.

“A hose uses more water in one hour than the average family uses in a whole day. A pressure washer can also be a massive drain, so please think about whether the task is really essential at the moment.”

“While it is tempting, please avoid using swimming or paddling pools. Filling a 12ft swimming pool uses the same amount of water 500 people use for daily handwashing.

“We want everyone to enjoy their home and garden, we just need people to think about how they use their water and if what they are doing is essential.”