Adverse weather – flood risk

Date published: 28 July 2018

A multi-agency teleconference, chaired by local government, has been held to co-ordinate the response from departments, councils and utilities to the current difficult weather conditions.

All agencies have been in a state of readiness since yesterday and are responding to numerous calls from across Northern Ireland.

The rain is expected to lessen from 7pm onwards however all agencies will continue to monitor the situation and take action accordingly.

The public are asked to take necessary precautions when travelling as there may be disruption on roads.

Advice and emergency numbers are available on https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/rain

Notes to editors

Media enquiries to relevant agencies or duty press officer via pager 07623974383

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Hosepipe ban lifted but keep saving water

Date published: 19 July 2018

There is no longer a hosepipe ban across Northern Ireland but you should still continue to save water to ease demand. This will help avoid the prospect of a ban having to be reintroduced.

Water saving tips

To help save water:

  • take shorter showers
  • take a shower instead of a bath
  • turn off the tap when brushing your teeth
  • avoid watering lawns wherever possible – 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.

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Hosepipe ban

Date published: 29 June 2018

A hosepipe ban is in place across Northern Ireland. During the ban you should limit the use of tap water to the essentials, like drinking, cooking and washing.

Activities not allowed

During the hosepipe ban, you are not allowed to:

  • water a garden using a hosepipe
  • water outdoor plants on domestic or other non-commercial premises using a hosepipe
  • draw water using a hosepipe for domestic, recreational use
  • fill or maintain a domestic swimming or paddling pool using a hosepipe
  • fill or maintain a domestic pond using a hosepipe
  • clean a private leisure boat using a hosepipe
  • clean a private motor vehicle using a hosepipe
  • clean walls or windows of domestic premises using a hosepipe
  • clean paths or patios of domestic or other non-commercial premises using a hosepipe

Water saving tips

To help save water:

  • take shorter showers
  • take a shower instead of a bath
  • 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.

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Appeal to use less water

Date published: 29 June 2018

As the dry spell continues, the public is being asked to stop non-essential water use, including hoses and sprinklers.

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.

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Help prevent wildfires

Visitors to rural areas and residents are advised to be vigilant for wildfires.

The risk of wildfires

The current spell of dry weather combined with the current hot conditions has resulted in elevated wildfire risk across Northern Ireland.

With the weekend and summer holidays approaching, there will be an expected increase in members of the public taking this opportunity to explore the countryside,

Wildfires are not natural, they are almost always started by humans either deliberately or through carelessness. They put lives at risk, destroy our surroundings and the wildlife in them, and are a real cost to society. 

Members of the public visiting the countryside should take particular precautions so as not to accidently cause wildfires through their activities.

Under the current conditions, any ignition source in hazardous fuels may give rise to wildfire development and spread, particularly in areas with dead grasses, gorse, forestry and heather and, can cover extensive areas in a very short period of time and may be hazardous to human life and wildlife.

Preventing wildfires

If you are in the countryside:

  • extinguish cigarettes and other smoking materials properly
  • never throw cigarette ends out of car windows
  • only use barbecues in designated areas and never leave them unattended
  • make sure that barbecues are fully extinguished and cold before disposing of their contents
  • avoid using open fires in the countryside
  • do not leave bottles or glass behind – sunlight shining through glass can start a fire
  • be considerate in parking vehicles so as not to impede access by emergency vehicles

More information on fire saftey outdoors can be found on the page below:

What to do if you see a fire

If you see a fire in the countryside:

  • report it immediately to the Fire & Rescue Service
  • do not attempt to tackle fires that cannot be put out with a bucket of water
  • leave the area as soon as possible
  • if you see someone setting fires, report it to the PSNI