NI Water is asking local businesses to take a few simple steps before closing their doors for the bank holiday weekend to help stop water being wasted. 

The company says businesses, especially those shutting for several days, can play an important part by checking their premises before they leave.

Paul Bryce, Head of Water with NI Water, said: “Something as simple as a tap left running, a faulty fitting or an undetected leak can waste a significant amount of water when a building is empty.  For businesses, this can lead to an unwelcome larger water bill. 

“We are asking businesses to do a quick check before they leave, know where their stop valve is and make sure emergency contacts are in place. These practical actions can help reduce waste and save water for when it is needed most during periods of higher demand.”

Before locking up for the bank holiday, NI Water is encouraging businesses to:

• Locate the stop valve and make sure relevant staff know where it is and how to turn it off.
• Check that taps are fully turned off and that any appliances or equipment using water are shut down safely.
• If the property has a water meter, know where it is and check it regularly. A higher than normal reading may be an early sign of a leak on site.
• Keep the number of a plumber who knows the premises and is prepared to attend at short notice, including out of hours if needed.

As temperatures rise, demand for drinking water increases significantly. While people often ask why there could be an issue when there has been so much rain, NI Water explains the challenge is not the amount of water available, but the level of demand, which can outpace the ability to treat and distribute it quickly enough through the system.

Paul explained: “When the weather warms up, water use can rise sharply as thousands of households use more at the same time. This isn’t about reservoir levels, but how quickly we can treat and supply drinking water. When demand peaks, some customers may notice lower pressure or temporary interruptions. Small changes by lots of people can help keep taps flowing for everyone.”

NI Water thanks businesses for their support and is encouraging everyone to use water wisely during the warm weather so that water is available for essential use when demand increases.

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Media enquiries to the NI Water Press Office via email to press.office@niwater.com