The independent Northern Ireland Utility Regulator, responsible for regulating the electricity, gas, water and sewerage industries in Northern Ireland, today publishes its report into NI Water’s handling of the freeze/thaw incident, which led to water supply disruptions for around 450,000 consumers, during the December 2010-January 2011 period.

The key findings are:
• the winter weather was exceptional (1 in 100 year event in established records),but with a changing climate could recur in the near future;
• around 80% of the additional water demand caused by the freeze thaw leaked from domestic and business water pipes. The remainder was lost from NI Water’s network; 
• the water mains in Northern Ireland are relatively new compared with other parts of the UK, and performed as well as could be expected. There is no need for an immediate change in the mains infrastructure investment levels; 
• NI Water was not prepared for a crisis of this magnitude and in particular there was a failure of the company’s executive leadership; 
• the company’s execution of emergency planning was deficient, particularly in respect of communication with consumers; and 
• front line operational teams worked effectively in very challenging weather conditions.

The investigation produced 57 actions which are included in the detailed report and incorporated into a Recovery Action Plan, intended to mitigate against the impact of harsher winters in the future and will improve the consumer experience of the bad weather happens again.

Speaking at the launch of the investigation report, Shane Lynch, the Utility Regulator’s Chief Executive said:

“Barely 10 weeks have passed since Northern Ireland was in the grip of severe winter weather and the major disruption to 450,000 consumers’ water supply across Northern Ireland that ensued.

“Today we are publishing a report which presents the facts of what went wrong during the freeze /thaw incident. Our investigation establishes that the execution of NI Water’s emergency planning procedures was deficient, its communications were very ineffective and there was a failure the necessary executive leadership within the company during the freeze/thaw incident.”

Professor Peter Matthews, Chairman of the Utility Regulator board said:

“From the distressing time during the holiday period at the end of last year, there must emerge a brighter future for water services in Northern Ireland, and we will work with stakeholders to make sure that the lessons are learned and acted upon.”

The Regulator’s investigation is part of a broader overall review. While the Regulator’s investigation has focused on the performance of NI Water during the freeze/thaw incident, the question of broader governance issues, including the role and responsibilities of the Minister for Regional Development, has been considered by two independent appointees. Heather Moorhead and Philip Holder, who were appointed by the First Minister and Deputy First Minister will also consider the Regulator’s recommendations.

The final consolidated investigation report will be produced in two parts. The first part, which will deal with the performance of NI Water – in the context of the Regulator’s statutory powers – will be produced by the Regulator and will be approved by its board. The second part will address the broader governance issues and will be produced by the two First Minister and Deputy First Minister appointees.