Non-essential use

NI Water has warned that continuing to use water for non-essential purposes will likely result in supply interruption in many areas.

It’s expected a formal hose pipe ban will be introduced this weekend which will mean you can’t water private gardens or cars.

Water saving tips

To help save water:

• take shorter showers
• take a shower instead of a bath
• don’t wash cars or vans
• turn off the tap when brushing your teeth
• avoid watering lawns – even when they look dry and brown, they’ll spring back with the first heavy rain
• make sure your washing machine is full – don’t put on a half load
• turn off the tap while washing your hands or shaving
• fix leaking taps  
• keep a jug of water in the fridge so there’s no need to run the water until it gets cold
• use a bowl for washing vegetables  
• fill the kettle with only as much water as you need

If you experience water problems

If you experience water problems in your area, check the NI Water website and use the postcode search facility.

Offences which are no longer criminal

The decriminalised offences are:

• buggery
• gross indecency
• procuring others to commit homosexual acts

The activity must have been:

• consensual
• with a person aged 17 or older

It must also not be an offence today. Sexual activity in a public toilet is not included as it is still illegal. 

If you received a conviction or caution for any of the decriminalised offences, you can apply to have your record wiped clean or ‘disregarded’.

Receiving a disregard

A disregarded offence means it will be treated as never having happened and won’t appear in criminal record checks. You also don’t need to disclose it on application forms or in court cases. A successful application also leads to an automatic legal pardon.

Posthumous pardons

Anyone who has since died but was convicted of a decriminalised consensual homosexual offence with someone over 17, will be automatically pardoned. 

How to apply

It is free to apply for a disregard. Go to the link below for more information on pardons and disregards and to complete the application form:

Rate Rebate

To apply for Rate Rebate, you must:

If you’re a tenant or homeowner, you can only make a claim for Rate Rebate once you’ve been awarded Universal Credit.

Any claim should be made as soon as possible following your first Universal Credit payment.

More information is available on this page:

How to apply

You have to register for an online account using your own email address. Once you have an account, you can apply online at this link:

You can also call Land & Property Services on 0300 200 7802.

If Universal Credit has not been yet rolled out in a particular area or someone is not eligible for Universal Credit, such as pensioners, rates support will continue through Housing Benefit.

More useful links

Giant hogweed

Giant hogweed grows up to between three and five metres high, which is what helps identify it as it looks similar to hogweed and cow parsley.

You should report any sightings of the plant.

Giant hogweed contains a sap which irritates skin when it is exposed to sunlight.

Symptoms are usually noticeable within 24 hours and include blistering and swelling on the skin, which may be made worse by over-exposure to the sun.

What to do

If you come into contact with Giant hogweed:

• cover the affected skin immediately to avoid exposure to the sun
• wash the skin with cold water

If there is blistering or the contact was with the eyes, you should seek medical advice.

More useful links