Water - Brexit Q&A

You can use the menu on the right hand side of the screen to skip between questions. Last updated on 12 Sept 2019.

The content on this site is correct as of today's date and is based on the information available at this time. Regular updates will be made as the Brexit process develops. Please continue to check back for updates.

What is DAERA doing to ensure my drinking water is safe to drink during this period?

The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) is the regulator for drinking water quality in Northern Ireland - for both public and private supplies. Drinking water quality will continue to be tested for compliance with the regulatory standards. Tests are carried out for a range of substances or organisms known as parameters. A description of each parameter and its prescribed concentration or value can be found in the European and National Drinking Water Quality Standards table.

A number of commercial and public buildings use private water supplies for their premises. DWI is working closely with private water supply owners to ensure they have sufficient plans in place to continue to treat their water where necessary. A number of properties with private supplies have the ability to switch to the mains supply as a back-up as they already use the mains water supply to supplement their private supply. DWI continue to work with all water suppliers to ensure that drinking water is safe, clean and wholesome. DWI will continue to monitor private water supplies, with support from local councils to ensure regulatory requirements are met.

Anyone that has a concern relating to the quality of their water supply, provided to them by NI Water should contact the Waterline in the first instance on 03457 440088.

What is DAERA doing to protect our rivers from significant pollution if chemicals and parts for machinery can’t get through to Northern Ireland for the treatment of industrial waste waters during this period?

NIEA regulates discharges of waste waters into waterways and this is not changing because of Brexit.

A key role of the Water Management Unit (WMU), within the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), under the Water (Northern Ireland) Order 1999, is to promote the conservation of the water resources of Northern Ireland.

The WMU protects the aquatic environment through a number of activities including:

• monitoring water quality
• preparing water quality management plans
• controlling effluent discharges
• taking action to combat or minimise the effects of pollution
• supporting environmental research
• coordinating production of draft River Basin Management Plans with partners

Anyone who is concerned about pollution of a waterway should contact The Water Pollution Hotline on 0800 80 70 60.

If I see pollution in rivers or lakes what should I do?

Reports of water pollution should be made to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency Water Pollution Hotline on 0800 80 70 60.